ABU DHABI: Muhammad Usman scored a quickfire half-century in the run chase and led leaders Fujairah to a dominating eight-wicket victory over Ajman in the 33rd match of the ongoing Emirates D10 League.
Set to chase a massive total of 104, Fujairah comfortably accumulated 107 runs for the loss of two wickets with eight balls to spare, thanks to an unbeaten match-winning partnership between Muhammad Usman and Nasir Faraz.
Earlier, the leaders had a contrasting start to the pursuit as they were two down for just 23 runs in the second over as both their openers Salman Khan and Raees Ahmed perished cheaply.
Following the slump, Muhammad Usman and Faraz scripted an astounding recovery for their side with an unbeaten 84-run partnership and steered their side to their eighth victory.
Muhammad Usman led the charge for Fujairah with a swashbuckling 52 not out off just 26 deliveries, laced with two boundaries and six sixes.
Faraz was equally impressive amid his 16-ball 33-run knock, which featured one boundary and three sixes.
For Ajman, Mohammed Ajmal and Sheraz Piya could pick a wicket apiece.
Click to watch Emirates D10 League Live on ARY ZAP
Opting to bat first, Ajman raised 103/4 in the allotted 10 overs at the back of a brilliant half-century by Sagar Kalyan.
The opening batter smashed six boundaries and five sixes on his way to top score for Ajman with a 30-ball 66.
Besides him, Adnan Ul Mulk Nawab contributed significantly with a brisk 27-run knock in 20 deliveries with the help of a boundary and two sixes.
The rest of Ajman’s batters struggled with running between the wickets against Fujairah and could not enter the double digits.
For Fujairah, only Shahbaz Ali could pick up a wicket while the rest of their bowlers went wicketless.
With a dominating eight-wicket victory, Fujairah tightened their grip on the top spot in the Emirates D10 League standings with 16 points in 10 matches while Ajman remained in fifth with six points after as many matches.
READ: Revisit Babar Azam’s fifty on his international debut anniversary