Cricket: Vijay League-USAIM overcome Luckstars |25 May 2005

The result must have come as a disappointment for Luckstars who seemed to be cruising to victory. But they lost control towards the end and USAIM capitalised to grab victory. 

Elected to bat first, Luckstars’ batsmen were in all sorts of trouble against some tight and accurate bowling from Siddesh, Girish, Mukesh and Natwar of USAIM. Wickets fell at regular intervals. They lost their first 3 wickets quickly with the dismissal of Tushita for 2 runs, Janathan at duck and Vipula for 10 runs.

Useful knocks of 12 runs by Bandula, 11 runs by Muditha and 13 runs by Usman helped steady the innings, but none of the batsmen could play long innings as was needed. The last four batsmen added only 13 runs and Luckstars’ innings folded at 90 runs all out in 25.4 overs.

For USAIM, all the bowlers bowled well with Siddesh, Girish and Mukesh grabbing 3 wickets each.   
 
Considering tough batting conditions, everyone felt that victory target of 91 runs was extremely difficult for USAIM. Early dismissal of Mihir for duck, Rohan for 3 runs, Girish for 1 run and Rajeev for duck signaled the disastrous start with the score reading 23 runs for 4 wickets.

There was more trouble for them when they lost 3 more wickets - Rohit for 5 runs, Mukesh for 2 runs and Nirag for 5 runs. The only exception was Rizwan, the master blaster of the day, who kept his cool in the face of stiff attacks from Richard, Vipula and Usman to ensure that one end remained intact.

With USAIM’s score reading 55 runs for 7 wickets, Luckstars must have sensed an easy victory. However, Rahul’s 18 runs (not out) off 17 balls shattered their dreams and USAIM achieved their first win of the tournament, scoring 91 runs for 7 wickets in 21overs. Rizwan scored well with an unbeaten 21 runs.
 
For Luckstars, Richard and Usman were the most successful bowlers, claiming 2 wickets each.

Meanwhile, the Seychelles Cricket Association has announced that a fifth team – SKLPS – have joined Vijay, Super Kings, Luckstars and USAIM in the Vijay League. Stiff competition is expected throughout the tournaments.
 
Scores in brief 

USAIM win by 3 wickets with 9 overs to spare  

Luckstars – 90 runs all out (25.4 overs): Usman 13 runs and Bandula 12 runs, Girish 3 wickets for 15 runs and Siddesh 3 wickets for 15 runs, Mukesh 3 wickets for 25 runs.

USAIM - 91 runs for 7 wickets in 21 overs : Rizwan  21 runs (not out), Rahul 18 runs not out), Usman 2 wickets for 13 runs and Richard  2 wickets for 23 runs.

Man-of-the-match:  Rizwan of USAIM