Ajman: Three Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) cricket teams which picked Ajman Oval Cricket Stadium to play in a Friendship Cup tournament for exposure, returned richer in experience.
Danube Lions, one of the UAE’s leading domestic teams emerged as the champions, with three J&K teams along with local outfit Cost Cutters that competed in this tournament, producing excellent contests.
In the final, which will be held annually and known as J&K-UAE Friendship Cup, Danube Lions defeated Simula J&K by 106 runs. Simula found Danube, which is a formidable A division team made up of UAE national team players and Pakistan international cricketer Riaz Afridi, too strong to beat.
Speaking to Gulf News, Salman Ahmad, executive board member of the Ajman Oval Cricket Stadium, was excited about his unique tournament: “Over 45 players came from J&K to play here. This tournament was organised by Simula Sports Club with backing from Ministry of Youth Services and Sports from the state of J&K, and J&K Police Department with the noble cause of giving international exposure and providing ample opportunity to the state’s youth to showcase their skills on a truly international platform. Even the sports minister of the state took time off to see the team off to the UAE.”
In the final, Danube set a target of 171 runs for Simula J&K. UAE’s World Cup star Shaimon Anwar topscored for Danube with 66 runs in 32 balls. He was in his usual aggressive mood and hit six sixes and two fours. Shamiullah Younis and Mohammad Imran chipped in with knocks of 47 and 28 runs respectively. Hilal Rather, who envisaged the idea of such a tour, took two important wickets.
Simula J&K, in reply, could only manage 65 runs. Rana Dastagir and Zahoor Khan took three wickets each for Danube. J&K were inspired seeing a spectacular diving catch at the long off boundary by Riaz Afridi to dismiss Hardeep Singh of Simula.
Anis Sajan, Managing Director and owner of Danube, stressed on the importance of such friendship tournaments. “The J&K Ministry of Youth Services & Sports of the state of Jammu & Kashmir and J&K Police should be lauded for encouraging youth to play in a tournament abroad,” he said.
