Hodge, Sangakkara steer Arabians to victory after Muralitharan magic

Gemini Arabians 133-2 (Hodge 65no) beat
Leo Lions 132-7 (Muralitharan 4-19) by eight wickets
Fourth match, Masters Champions League, Dubai

Brad Hodge and Kumar Sangakkara shared an unbeaten 105-run stand as Gemini Arabians chased down the target of 133 with eight wickets in hand after Muttiah Muralitharan's four-wicket haul restricted Leo Lions in the fourth match of the Masters Champions League in Dubai.

Lions won the toss and elected to bat first. They found themselves in deep trouble again after losing the first five wickets scoring just 57 runs in the ninth over.

Muralitharan (4-19) picked three wickets in it including a first ball dismissal of Brian Lara (0).

Just like th previous game, James Franklin (35) came up with the rescue act adding 57 runs for the sixth wicket with Scott Styris (32) to take Lions past the 100-run mark.

It was Muralitharan who once again provided the breakthrough as he castled Franklin in his final over to get his fourth wicket as Leo Lions managed only 132 for seven in the 20 overs. 

Richard Levi (13) and Virender Sehwag (12) provided a brisk start for the Gemini Arabians racing to 26 for naught in the first three overs.

However, Robin Peterson (1-23) and Ramesh Powar (1-14) struck twice in a span of 10 deliveries to dismiss Sehwag and Levi respectively as the Lions ended the powerplay at 32 for two.

However, that was the only success for the Lions in the game as Kumar Sangakkara (41 not out) and Brad Hodge (65 not out) put on an unbeaten 105-run stand to seal the game for the Gemini Arabians with eight wickets in hand.

Muralitharan was picked the man of the match for his splendid four-wicket haul which set the game for the Arabians. 

The win has also taken the Gemini Arabians to the top position in the points table. 

© Cricket World 2016