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Team Emirates Clinch T20 Title

DUBAI — The unpredictable nature of cricket was at its best when Fly Emirates lifted inaugural Twenty20 Trophy against all odds by beating Sussex Sharks by 14 runs in the final at Sevens on Saturday.

Spectators and organisers were also surprised as Emirates star player Shaihd Afridi also sat out of final due to minor knee injury.

Emirates after losing two matches on Friday, had a little chance to qualify for the final. Their cause was helped by Sussex who beat Surrey Lions with a big margin on Saturday. It provided a chance to the airmen to beat Cape Cobras from South Africa to set up date with Sussex for the top prize.

It turned out to be the match of the tournament as Emirates posted a challenging total of 138 on a wicket where the ball was keeping low. Cobras started the chase in a bold manner by reaching 108-0 as their opener Derek Brand tore Emirates bowling apart. But after the departure of the right-hander the hosts took control and restricted the South Africans to 129. Had they reached 135 they would have qualified for the final.

In the final, Emirates won the toss and could manage only 86 against Sussex who were unbeaten in the tournament. Emirates lost early wickets and failed to recover. Their seasoned campaigners Khurram Khan (24) and Arshad Ali (17) were the only players who reached double figures. Chris Liddle was the wrecker-in-chief as he grabbed wickets by giving away only 15 runs in his allotted 4 overs. Oliver Ravner took two while Luke Wells and James Kirtley shared one wicket each.

The target which looked easy for confident Sussex proved a tough one in the end. Their chase suffered early setbacks and they kept losing wickets in regular intervals.

Emirates spinners dictated terms by tying the Sussex batsmen down and they gave away wickets in frustration. Kirtley was the top scorer with 17 runs and Sussex were bowled out for paltry 71. Arshad Ali was the pick of the bowlers as he grabbed 3-7 and Khurram and Amjad Javed took two wickets each. Captain Nigel Fernandes also bowled a tight spell and took a wicket.