Atlas Telecom win Salama Trophy

Abu Dhabi: In a high-scoring and closely-fought final, Atlas Telecom got the better of William Hare Abu Dhabi Gymkhana by 13 runs to lift the Salama Insurance Cricket Trophy here on Friday.

Batting first, Atlas batsmen fired on all cylinders to reach 229 for 3 in just 30 overs and in reply, Gymkhana also fought barely and managed 286 for 7 to go down by a mere 13 runs.

Kashif Butt, who slammed 135 in Atlas' 81-run win in the semifinals, was once again in superb form as he slammed another ton.

Butt belted 10 sixes and eight fours and remained unbeaten on 119 off just 67 balls. That effort lifted Atlas to a strong position while solid support did come from Amir Qureshi (89) and Sajjad Saeed (36).

For Gymkhana, Haroon Iftikhar led the run chase and also notched up a century while Shoukat Mehmood chipped in with a breezy 54. Iftikhar, who had starred with an unbeaten 67 in Gymkhana's 7-wicket win over Adnoc-Fod in the semis, slammed three sixes and 10 fours in his innings of 113 that came off 74 balls.

But the target of 300 was a bit too far and Atlas managed to restrict Gymkhana to 286 with still three wickets in hand.

Salama Insurance General Manager Parveiz Siddiq, ADCC President Dilawar Mani and ADCC general Secretary Enam Ul Haq distributed the trophies and special awards.

Abu Dhabi Gymkhana's Irfan Haider with 442 runs including the highest of 133 not out was declared Man of the Tournament while Best Batsman went to Imran Zia of ADNOC (419 runs, 2 centuries, highest 110).

Fayyaz Ahmad of Atlas Telecom with19 wkts for 164 runs earned the Best Bowler award.

Salama Insurance Trophy Final:

Atlas Telecon beat William Hare Abu Dhabi Gymkhana by 13 runs

Atlas: 299 for 3 in 30 overs (Amir Qureshi 89, Kashif Butt 119 n.o, Sajjad Saeed 36, Zubair Nadeem 30, Irfan Haider 2 for 34)

Gymkhana: 286 for 7 in 30 overs (Haroon Iftikhar 113, Shoukat Mehmood 54, Kashif Mahmood 45, Irfan haider 32).