K E R A L A M O N I T O R Q A T A R March 20 2004.

Qatar Cricket Monitor report and pictures by Sapna Anu B George.

The Report -Day One

A superb all around performance from Pratheesh Ben saw CETAAQ thrashing the current Galaxy Engineers Cup holders, GETE by a big margin of 45 runs. It was a vengeance victory for CETAAQ who had lost miserably, despite making a big total to GETE, in last year's final.

Send in to bat, Shaji Abraham and captain, Jayakrishnan gave a resounding start to CETAAQ, by plundering 38 runs off the first 3 overs of some wayward bowling of GETE, before Jayakrishnan (21) was out to a fine catch in the deep midoff of Sajir. Some fine cricketing shot plus a couple of towering sixes brought the CETAAQ fans to their feet. Then they lost Biju (6) quickly followed by the hard-hitting Shaji Abraham (30), bringing a lull to the proceedings.

A couple of dropped catches later, the floodgates were open as the run feast continued through a fine batting display by Pratheesh Ben (40) and Ziyad (35), who produced a match winning partnership of 70. The CETAAQ innings closed at a staggering 182 off the allotted 15 overs leaving GETE to score at the rate of over 12 per over.

GETE, having one of the best opening pair in Raphael and Sajir, made a solid start with some big hits. But the CETAAQ bowlers kept their cool and then the debutant Samit, bowling at quite a good pace, completely upset Raphael's judgment with a swinging full toss, which crashed into his leg stump. And then in the very next over from Pratheesh, Sajir trying to force the pace, went down the track and the guiley Pratheesh yorked him hook, line and sinker.

 

The GETE morale was down from this moment onwards, having lost both their match winners. Shammy, Krishnakumar and Sijo tried their best to get as much close as possible to the CETAAQ score and at the end of their 15 overs, managed to reach 140. Pratheesh Ben finished with figures of 2 for xx off 3 overs whereas Samit had 2 for xx off 3 overs.CETAAQ meets KEF in their last league match next Friday, which will be keenly contested too, although both the teams have already qualified for the semi-finals. -Keralamonitor.com