Century machine Aftab Javed’s fourth century in five matches lifts Seven Districts Cricket Academy into the final

By K.R. Nayar

Sharjah.  The unstoppable Aftab Javed hit his fourth century in five matches to stop Consolidated Shipping Services (CSS) Group in the first semi-final of the 49th Bukhatir League, sponsored by Seven Districts, at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday, and carried Seven Districts Cricket Academy into the final. His unbeaten 109 off 93 balls, studded with 12 boundaries and four sixes, ensured a four-wicket win for Seven Districts over CSS with two overs to spare.

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This historic feat by the 23-year-old batter, who has created a storm in UAE domestic cricket — having hit 120 against UAE Lexington Shotguns, an unbeaten 131 against Z Games Strikers, an unbeaten 106 against Gems Education Cricket Club, and now this 109 against CSS — has him hoping to notch up his fifth century in the final.

Aftab Javed receives the Player of the Match award from match referee Tehseen Javed 

Talking about his stupendous show with the bat, Javed said: “All I aim is to ensure a victory for my team. I dedicate this century too to my team owner Muhammad Haider bhai, who has supported me, given me opportunities, and guided me through all situations. I enjoy batting in long-format events like this one. I will continue to work hard to be among the runs.”

Syed Haider Shah ... timely unbeaten 71 runs 

Equal to Javed’s contribution in Seven Districts' victories is the prolific Syed Haider Shah. He hit an unbeaten 71 off 76 balls with seven boundaries and a six. Despite Javed departing when Seven Districts still needed 62 runs in the last ten overs, Haider Shah safely took his team to the target.

CSS, who were put into bat, could muster only 272 runs in the allotted 50 overs. Their batters, who have often ensured totals of over 300 in this tournament, failed to rise to the challenge when it mattered most. Their top scorer was Danish Sarhadi with 67 runs off 60 balls, including four boundaries and four sixes. Rojit KG too hit a quick 56 off 46 balls with five boundaries and two sixes after opener Abhiram Hrithwik had scored 46 off 57 balls with seven boundaries and a six. Seven Districts’ Ibraheem Masood (3 for 37), backed by Wahab Hassan (2 for 23), ensured CSS did not cross the 300-run mark.

Second semifinal between Z Games Strikers and GHK Properties.

It was a brilliant start from CSS with openers Hrithwik and skipper Renjith Mani posting an 88-run opening partnership in 15.2 overs. Ibraheem Masood picked the valuable wicket of Mani, caught by Wahab Hassan, for 36. His knock off 45 balls included five boundaries. Their consistent one-drop batter, Albin Alias, was run out for 6 at the score of 95 through a throw from Haider Shah. One run later, opener Hrithwik became Masood’s second victim, caught by Irfan Yousafzai for 46. Yousafzai then struck the biggest blow by dismissing CSS’s prolific run-getter of the season, Krishna Chandran Karate, for 15 — caught by substitute Nabeel Arshad.

The final on June 2 after rest day on June 1 

Safeer Tariq took the score to 149 but Masood clean bowled him for 28, completing his third wicket. This was followed by a stubborn 118-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Danish Sarhadi and Rojith KG. Picking the right balls to hit, Danish reached his half-century in 53 balls with a boundary off Yousafzai. Rojith also reached his half-century in 40 balls.

In the 48th over, Danish hit Wahab Hassan for a six off the third ball but was stumped by wicketkeeper Farman Ali for 67 off the fifth delivery. Three runs later, Muhammad Irfan got Haidar Razzaq caught by Tharindu Perera for 3. Rojith fell to the first ball of the last over, caught by Lahiru Sandaruwan off Wahab Hassan for 56, and CSS’s innings was restricted to 272 for 9 in 50 overs.

Seven Districts began their chase by losing the wicket of their consistent opener Zainullah for 2, caught behind by wicketkeeper Safeer Tariq off Mohammad Umar in the second over. Umar also got opener Ahmed Tariq out, caught by Krishna Chandran, for 18. In walked Aftab Javed, who, with Muhammad Irfan, kept the score moving briskly. Javed began by hitting Haidar Razzaq for two consecutive boundaries and then Umar for two successive boundaries. He then struck a six off Nipun Babu. Meanwhile, Irfan also picked up two boundaries off Chandran.

Javed did not spare Gihan Chathuranga, hitting him for a six and taking the total past the 100-run mark in 20 overs. He reached his half-century in 47 balls. Mani, known for breaking partnerships, got Irfan out, caught by Danish for 35. His 54-ball knock included five boundaries. In the 26th over, Mani quickly removed Tharindu Perera, clean bowled for 2. From then on began the match-winning partnership between Haider Shah and Javed. They slowly but steadily dominated the bowling.

Aftab Javed celebrates his fourth century 

Haider Shah began with a boundary off Shubham Singh, while Javed also hit him for a six and a boundary in another over. Javed reached his 100 in 88 balls and received a hug from Shah on his memorable achievement. Everyone at the ground gave him a standing ovation. In the 40th over, Shah hit Gihan Chathuranga for two consecutive boundaries to take the score past the 200-run mark. Umar ended Javed’s knock by getting him caught behind by wicketkeeper Safeer Tariq for 109. This was Umar’s third wicket.

Aftab Javed receives a hug from Syed Haider Shah on scoring his fourth century 

In the 42nd over, Umar picked his fourth wicket by getting Farman Ali caught by Shubham Singh for 3. From there on, Shah took full responsibility and reached his half-century in 63 balls. He got good support from Lahiru Sandaruwan. While Lahiru hit a six off Umar, Shah scored a boundary to take 14 runs off the 46th over. Lahiru also hit the winning six off Umar in the 48th over to remain unbeaten on 24 off 16 balls with two sixes. Shah remained unconquered on 71 to ensure that his team booked a place in the final. Shah and Lahiru put on an unbeaten 55-run partnership for the seventh wicket to seal the win in 48 overs.

Brief scores: (semi-final 1)
Seven Districts Cricket Academy bt CSS Group by 4 wkts. CSS Group 272 in 50 overs (Abhiram Hrithwik 46, Renjith Mani 36, Safeer Tariq 28, Danish Sarhadi 67, Rojith KG 56, Ibraheem Masood 3 for 37, Wahab Hassan 2 for 23) Seven Districts Cricket Academy 275 for 6 in 48 overs (Muhammad Irfan 35, Aftab Javed 109, Syed Haider Shah 71n.o, Lahiru Sandaruwan24n.o, Mohammad Umar 4 for 64, Renjith Mani  2 for 30)
Player of the Match: Aftab Javed