MORPETH (UK) – Durham beat YTCA in semi finals – Madan Lal  beats Zayed Cricket Academy in a thriller

YTCA lost to Durham in the semi finals of the Home Centre International Cup being played at Longhirst Hall in Morpeth.

In a Under 17 clash – Durham batted first and scored 180 runs in the allotted 30 overs. Opener J Coyne scored 67 while G Dunn scored 25. For YTCA – Rehan Ayrton took 3 for 36 with an impressive spell of off spin bowling. He was well supported by leg spinner Vishakh Chandrasekhar who took 3 for 49. Shiv Mehra took 1 for 12.

In reply – YTCA had an early setback when they lost the wicket of Adnan and Adel but recovered through some excellent batting by Shaun Ayrton who scored an impressive 46 with two sixes and five fours. He was well supported by Vishakh who scored 38 and led a lone battle to keep YTCA ahead of the required run rate but YTCA were eventually all out for 146 in the 29th over.

The YTCA Chief Organiser Shahzad Altaf said “ Our boys put up a great fight but the better team won the match”.

YTCA coach Prosanta Chanda said “ The team really gave their best and tried hard and at one stage – the required run rate was well under control but the fall of crucial wickets slowed our run rate down”.

Durham will now play Madan Lal Cricket Academy in the finals as Madan Lal Cricket Academy defeated Zayed Cricket Academy by 9 runs in a close thriller.

Madan Lal Cricket Academy batted first to score 178  and Sikander Bahl  making 71 with 11 fours and three sixes. Shaurya made 30 runs and was supported by Maher Bhalla who made 22.  Sachin took 3 for 42 and Mohsin took 2 for 18.

In reply – ZCA made 169 with Umar making 26, Faraz 27 and Ross made 19 not out.

Jordan took 3 wickets for 45 and Karan took 2 wickets.

In an Under 11 clash – YTCA lost to Durham School by six wickets. Batting first – YTCA made 154 with Nikhil Nambiar shining with a glorious 55 with 11 fours. Nikhil who opened the innings displayed great maturity and held the innings together. Asad Bhognani also played a great innings for a well made 30. Karan Achutanand made 18.

Durham School made the required runs in the 21st over with J OBrien making 57 and R Chapman making 60.

Rahul Nambiar took 1 for 15 and Arvind took 1 for 20 and Musa took 1 for 5.