Emirates Airline T20: silverware for Sussex Sharks

The Sharks denied a little fairytale home win as they saw off the Fly Emirates XI in a one-sided final.

Sussex team players celebrate the win against Fly Emirates at The Sevens. Jaime Puebla / The National

DUBAI // Sussex Sharks were comfortable winners of the fourth Emirates Airline Twenty20, denying the annual tournament a little fairytale home win as they saw off the Fly Emirates XI in a one-sided final.

Sussex were too slick for the local amateur side, first taking advantage of a nervous fielding performance from their opponents to post an ominous 172. An entertaining 88-run stand between Luke Wells and Chris Jordan in just over nine overs was the platform for the innings.

The target never looked under serious threat, Wells chipping in with three middle-order wickets to see his side home easily.

The Fly Emirates XI had something to celebrate, however, having pulled off an upset earlier in the day by beating Lancashire Lightning by five wickets, with a solitary ball to spare.

The hero of the morning was the UAE international Arshad Ali, his manic 41 (to go with two wickets) setting up the chase and helping the side reach their first final since they won the inaugural tournament in 2010.

In the other semi-final, Rahul Dravid, the Indian star, looked as assured as ever for MCC despite picking up the bat for the first time in eight months.

His 33-ball 26 was not enough as the MCC could only make 115. That was never going to seriously challenge the Sharks, as Rory Hamilton-Brown and Matt Machan ensured an early exit for Dravid.

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