SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates, CMC – Not even a sensational beaver-trick by former Jamaica and West Indies left-arm seamer Krishmar Santokie could prevent Gemini Arabians from pulling off a 12-run victory over Sagittarius Strikers in the Masters Champions League here yesterday.
The 31-year-old, who played the last of his 12 Twenty20 Internationals two years ago, grabbed four consecutive wickets off the first four balls of the final over to help restrict a rampant Arabians to 224 for seven off their 20 overs at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Opting to bat first, Arabians were propelled by Indian opener Virender Sehwag who belted 134 off 63 balls, with ten fours and 11 sixes.
He put on 86 for the first wicket with South African Jacques Rudolph who hit 27 and a further 135 for the second wicket with Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara who scored 51 from 33 deliveries.
Recently retired West Indies left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul was unbeaten on one from two deliveries at the end.
Santokie, who had taken one wicket in an earlier spell, finished with five for 30 in a superb four-over spell to be the leading bowler for Strikers.
He bowled Sangakkara with the first ball of the over and then proceeded to remove Brad Hodge, Justin Kemp and Naved-ul-Hasan all without scoring, while conceding just one run from the final over of the innings.
In reply, Imran Farhat stroked 52 from 32 deliveries, Yasir Hameed, 41 from 22 balls with a four and four sixes and Yasir Arafat a 16-ball 32 with four sixes but Strikers still slumped to 177 for nine in the 18th over.
However, Santokie arrived to smash an unbeaten 23 from nine balls with three sixes in a 35-run, last wicket stand with Shane Bond who got 12 not out, as Strikers came up short in the end.
