MUSCAT: Riding on Sandeep Goud’s superb all-round performance, Muscat CT secured an 11-run win over spirited Al Turki NMC on Friday to clinch Premier Division’s T20 League crown, completing a dream double after winning the 50-over League title last week.

Unlike the 50-over championship where it was given a run for the money by Al Turki and IT Works, Muscat dominated the T20 league with 18 points, winning nine of the ten games it played, two more than runner-up IT Works which finished with 14 points, ahead of 12 by third placed Renaissance. 

Sandeep Goud topscored with a hurricane 42 not out off 18 balls including 5 powerful sixes as Muscat posted a robust 179 for 5 on the board. Shoaib Khan (39) and Jatinder Singh (33) were the other notable scorers. Jay Odedara bagged 2 for 26. 

Al Turki fought hard but struggled to keep pace with the mounting run rate, falling short by 14 runs as it reached 165 for 7 in 20 overs. Gustav Burger (30), Twinkal Bhandari (25) and Prateek Athavale (25) were its main scorers. Sandeep and Wasim Ali picked up two wickets each. 

Brief Scores (Premier Division T20): Muscat CT 179 for 5 in 20 overs (Sandeep Goud 42 – 5×6, Shoaib Khan 39 – 4×4, Jatinder Singh 33 – 3×4, 2×6. Odedara Jay 2-26) beat Al Turki NMC 165 for 7 in 20 overs (Gustav Burger 30 – 2×4, 1×6, Wasim Ali 2-30, Sandeep Goud 2-32) by 14 runs.

Nadeem helps IT Works to victory

Muhammed Nadeem’s rock solid 45 not out was the highlight of IT Works’ 27-run victory against AER in the two teams’ last T20 league game that helped the former to the runner-up spot in the team standings.

Studded with a bunch of talented players, including many Oman stars, IT Works gave a good account of itself in a highly competitive tournament, promising to improve with each season it plays.

Nadeem’s fighting knock saved the day for IT Works as it limped to 109 for 8 in 20 overs. Waseem Akhtar’s 21 was the only other notable score. Afzal Khan and Allan Gawdya bagged two wickets each.

AER failed to hold its nerves against a highly experienced IT Works’ bowling attack, crawling to 82 for 7 before running out of over. Shakeel Ahmad, tournament’s leading wicket-taker with young Muzahir Raza at 16 wickets each, Was unplayable, taking 2 for 8 in 4 overs. Khawar Ali also bowled well, taking 2 for 24. 

Brief Scores (Premier Division T20): IT Works 109 for 8 in 20 overs (Muhammed Nadeem 45 – 4×4, 1×6) beat A E R 82 for 7 in 20 overs (Danish Mohammad 18 – 1×4, Shakeel Ahmad 2-08, Khawar Ali 2-24) by 27 runs.