MORPETH (United Kingdom): Skipper Rameez Shahzad’s fine knock of 60 and his five-wicket haul went in vain as the Young Talents Cricket Academy’s senior squad’s two-day match against Scotland ended in a draw at the Longhirst ground here on Tuesday.
Though brief rain showers interrupted the tie for over two hours on Tuesday, the match turned out to be thriller as Cricket Scotland’s under-19 squad, who were in a commanding position after the first innings on Monday, succumbed to the fiery spin bowling and some aggressive down the line batting by the UAE based YTCA team, to hand the visitors their second draw of their UK tour.
Earlier last week the YTCA-Northumberland Development XI match at the Jesmond Cricket ground, in Newcastle, also ended in a draw. On winning the toss, the Scottish side headed by Calvin Burnett started on a brisk note cracking every loose ball that came along to pile up 265 runs in 55 overs, with five of the batsmen touching double figures.
Burnett top-scored with 45 hitting seven boundaries before he was caught behind off Rameez’s bowling. Rameez added another four wickets to his tally clipping McBride (40), Ashraf (38), Pitrie (36), and Morton (5). YTCA’s spinner Taqueer, Taymoor, Gul and Gaurau took a wicket each before the YTCA side took to batting under clear skies. It was Rameez again who hogged limelight with nine boundaries and a six to notch up 60 runs with four of his team-mates taking double figures. But it was not enough to tide over. YTCA ended the first day on 141-8 and added another 20 runs on Tuesday to end the first innings with a deficit of 108 runs. Scotland continued their fine run in the second innings also. Opening batsmen McBride and Harrs hit boundaries galore. The Scots were 77 for no loss when Owais clean bowled Harrs in the 11th over to clip the first wickets. Wickets fell in quick succession as Owais continued his fine line and length bowling to take the opener McBride (62) and Bilal (23). But it was Gaurav who was the pick of the YTCA bowlers as he scalped 4 for 38.
The Scots added another 178 runs to their lead before Burnett decided to declare with four wickets still in hand. YTCA were set a stiff target of 282 in 48 overs for victory. Rameez opened the side and a few quick boundaries set the pace. With 44 for no loss in the eight over the downfall started as Zahid left the pitch followed by Rameez (26), after a controversial LBW appeal which was granted. Three more leg-before-wicket knock-outs practically pushed the visitors to near defeat when the youngest team member Chirag held fort along with Owais. With a wicket still on hand, the match went into the final over with YTCA staying put. The tournament which is being organised by YTCA and Durham County Cricket Club has Syndicate and Sony Ericsson as the sponsors. YTCA next play Ashington in the UK tour final two-day game.
