Sport | Cricket
Bukhatir tournament celebrates 35 years
The UAE's oldest cricket tournament will stage its 35th edition at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the third week of this month.
- By K.R.Nayar, Senior Reporter
- Published: 23:35 January 5, 2009
Sharjah: The UAE's oldest cricket tournament will stage its 35th edition at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the third week of this month.
The Bukhatir Premier League tournament, which has been held regularly since 1974, will celebrate its 35th year with surprise packages for not only the teams, but also the spectators.
Sixteen teams will be allowed to compete in the event.
"It's a new landmark for us and we want to make it special this year. This event, which is the brain child of Abdul Rehman Bukhatir, has transformed from a day event into a day and night tournament to ensure participation of the best players even if they are working during the day," said Mazhar Khan, the secretary of the Sharjah Cricket Council.
Sharjah Club, which used to be led by Bukhatir, won the tournament for nine years and still holds the record for the maximum victories.
However, teams like Fly Emirates, Consolidated Shipping Service (CSS) and New Medical Centre (NMC) have been winning the tournament regularly.
"The competition has increased so much over the years that it is hard to predict the eventual winner. The increasing standards of the players in the country are also being reflected through this tournament," added Khan, who had played the tournament as a wicket-keeper batsman in the 1980s.
The matches will follow a 50-over format and teams will play in coloured clothing.
New Medical Centre are the defending champions. They defeated Fly Emirates in an exciting final last year thanks to the heroics of twin brothers Atif and Asim Ijaz.
Atif took four wickets to destroy Emirates while Asim hit a fine 51.
Khurram Khan, who top scored for Fly Emirates with an elegant 58, won the best batsman of the tournament award. His teammate Amjad Javed bagged the Player of the Tournament award.
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