SINGAPORE’s cricketers lifted themselves from the disappointment of being denied a place in the semi-finals to score a 54-run win over Mozambique and stay in the hunt for 5th position in the World Cricket League Division 5 tournament in Jersey on 30 May 2008.
The Republic, who finished with 7 points after their match against last-paced Bahamas was rained off in Group B, were edged out into third place on nett run-rate by Afghanistan. Singapore, Botawana, Germany and Mozambique were left to fight for 5th position in the 12-nation contest.
Against Mozambique, Singapore struggled to 46-3 before the middle order repaired the damage with contributions from Biddhika Mendis (25), Christopher Janik (45) and Narender Reddy (44) to post 203 in their 50 overs after being sent in to bat on a difficult drying wicket.
“We knew 200 plus would be a good total in these conditions,’’ said skipper Chaminda Ruwan. “It was a bad toss to lose because the wicket was very difficult in the first 2 hours and it got better with the sun shining in the later part of the day.”
Singapore’s Shoib Razak and Anish Param snatched 3 wickets each with Rizawan Madakia accounting for 2 Mozambique batsmen. Reddy and Chetan Suryawanshi got 1 wicket each as Mozambique slipped to 84-7 before being dismissed for 149 in 46.4 overs.
Singapore play Botswana, who beat Germany in the other match, to decide 5th position on 31 May 2008.
Afghanistan, who were beaten by Singapore by 69 runs, face hosts Jersey in the final. The Afghans beat Nepal and Jersey defeated the United States to move into the final.
Brief scores : Singapore 203-8 in 50 overs (Chaminda Ruwan 21, Buddhika Mendis 25, Christopher Janik 45, Narender Reddy 44) Mozambique 149 in 46.4 overs (Shoib Razak 10-5-16-3, Anish Param 10-2-19-3, Rizwan Madakia 10-1.36-2).
Full Scorecard
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