InMobi

Sehwag dazzles in Sharjah run feast

A century from Virender Sehwag and a rare double hat-trick made for an entertaining game in Sharjah

Virender Sehwag made a blazing century and Krishmar Santokie took four wickets in four balls in a battle for top position of the Masters Champions League on Friday.

Gemini Arabians skipper Sehwag smashed 134 to help his side beat the Sagittarius Strikers by 12 runs in front of a big crowd at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Sehwag's 63-ball innings featured 10 fours and 11 sixes as he and Kumar Sangakkara (51) added 135 runs for the second wicket.

That helped the Arabians reach 7-224 in their 20 overs. In reply, the Strikers could manage only 9-212.

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Virender Sehwag salutes the crowd after bringing up his century // Getty

In a wild final over of the Arabians innings, Strikers left-arm medium-pacer Santokie picked up four wickets - including Australian Brad Hodge - from four deliveries. In all, five wickets fell in the last over, with a run-out of Kyle Mills off the last ball completing a bizarre end to the innings. 

The Strikers lost captain Adam Gilchrist, Mahela Jayawardene and Michael Carberry early, before Pakistan pair Imran Farhat and Yasir Hameed put on 74  for the fourth wicket. 

In the other match of the day, the Libra Legends fell to the Capricorn Commanders. Libra were restricted to 7-154 after openers Michael Lumb and skipper Jacques Kallis had addded 89. But the Commanders chased down the target in 16.2 overs with eight wickets to spare.

The Arabians now top the standings. Their next match is against the Virgo Super Kings.