The clouded state of the league stage group standings to move into the quarter-finals disappeared, but not the clouds over the Dukhan Cricket Field. As a finale to the league stage, came the rains, resulting in some firsts. For the first time in the annals of the Chairman’s Cup, a match had to be called off. The no-result affair between the Dukhan teams (Operations & Community) though a non-event for the standings, was another first event. The Community team for the first time scored one point, courtesy of nature. Another first, which happened in the morning was the Corporate Training team won their first match and consequently their first points. And to commemorate these first, a colourful rainbow spanned the sky in the evening.

The do-or-die phase has started. The line-ups for the quarter finals are finalised. Group A is headed by RasGas with QAFAC scrambling in on run-rate in the three way tie on points with Pearl GTL and QP MIC. In Group B QP Gas Operations head the table. QP offshore manage to creep in by virtue of their win against QatarGas, with whom they tied for second place. Group C is a straight affair for Amwaj and QP RLC having scored 8 and 6 points respectively. Group D was also a straight affair with Dukhan Operations on 7 and Nakilat on 6 points.

The matches on the Friday went along predictable lines. RLC made 115 and Seef could muster only 69. This took RLC straightaway into the knockout stage on points. Gas Operations overtook the score of 77 made by QatarGas, to nip their chances in the bud for quarterfinal qualification. Dukhan Operations convincingly beat QVC, overtaking their score of 89 in 13.1 overs, ending QVC’s bid for the quarters. RasGas overhauled QAFAC’s score of 104 in 13.3 overs. But QAFAC still qualified for the next stage.
On the Saturday, all matches were of no consequence and the teams were playing for pride. QP CT won their first match ever in Dukhan. QP Contracts could not meet the target of 97 and fell short by 11 runs. Nakilat easily beat OXYs score of 102 in 13.4 overs. QP DT won their match against Q-Chem making the required 85 runs in 11.5 overs. In the last match between Dukhan Operations made 140 and Dukhan Community in poor light could only bat for 6.4 overs before the rains came. The match was abandoned as a “no result”. Thus the Community team earned (?) their first points ever.

Thus the quarter final line-ups are as expected based on the strength of the teams. Amwaj, has been a newcomer, but from the start, their performances project them to be in the knockout stage. The three top teams with maximum points, i.e. Amwaj, RasGas and Dukhan Operations are favourites to grab the title. Gas Operations are not considered in the same league, but with RLC and QAFAC they have an outside chance. Who knows, on their day any of these team could upset the favourite applecart.
So, with crossed fingers let us await the outcome of the death stage of the tournament. A Lot of nails to be bitten into. A total in excess of 150 seems a far cry this year, considering the quality of bowling from now on. 120 would be a winning score I suppose. And 105, a fighting score. - S.S.Narayanan.