SRINAGAR: Mukarram XI beat the FCC Lasjan by a narrow margin of two runs in the semifinals of Khrew Premier League played at Aazad stadium, Khrew, in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Thursday.
Skipper Mohammad Mukarram won the toss and opted to bat first on a batting paradise. Mukarram XI’s opening batsman Shahid scored a magnificent century. He was ably supported by middle order batsman Shahid who scored entertaining 76 runs.
Former skipper of J&K Ranji team Samiullah Beigh came to bat at number four while another J&K star Abid Nabi came at number five, but by then Shahid and Shabir ensured that the team had over 200 runs on the board in 17 overs.
Mukarram XI put a mammoth 235 on the board in the allotted 20 overs.
Needing 236 runs to win, the FCC Lasjan were jolted early in the piece as Samiullah took two wickets in his opening bowling spell. Poor fielding display, especially dropping nearly a dozen catches, nearly cost the Mukarram XI an important game, but in the end the experienced side with Samiullah Nabi, Abid Nabi, Gowhar Geelani, Adil and Shabir, it won the game by a whisker. The FCC Lasjan needed 84 runs from the last 7 overs, 42 from 12 balls and 24 in the last over. But, in the end, the Mukaram XI confirmed the berth to the finals of the coveted tournament.
The spectators enjoyed every minute of the game, as the game kept swinging like a pendulum from one side to another.
For his excellent ton, Shahid was adjudged player of the match.

KR Desk