Dubai: Unbeaten Danube Lions created history in UAE domestic indoor tournaments by winning the International Cricket Council (ICC) Academy Ramadan event at the ICC Academy in Dubai Sports City — their eighth victory this year.
The final win also gave them their 13th title out of a possible 14 in Ramadan tournaments held in the UAE over the years.
Danube lifted their latest trophy after beating DBMSC Steel by 32 runs to triumph in the ICC tournament that was originally contested by 24 teams.
Team owner and Managing Director of Danube Group Anis Sajan told Gulf News: “We are blessed with players who are loyal, dedicated and hungry for victories. This unbeaten run is due to the importance they give to training hard in indoor facilities.”
Sajan tries to ensure the team doesn’t become complacent and has introduced a novel method to strengthen their determination.
“Before every final, I motivate the players by screening an inspirational movie or showing clippings of great victories in cricket. We also make sure we celebrate every victory in a grand manner and I present bonuses to the players,” he said.
Pakistan Test star Mudassar Nazar, the Head Coach of the ICC Academy, said: “Danube are worthy champions. To go through a tournament as intense as this, against some excellent sides, and remain unbeaten is an exceptional achievement. The Danube players have set the bar high for the other sides in indoor cricket and it is up to those other sides to lift their standards accordingly.”
Sajan is now grooming his outdoor teams to get into the winning habit.
“The ability to play sensible cricket, good running between the wickets and fielding are vital in indoor cricket. In fact, there is a lot outdoor cricketers can learn form indoor cricket and I am delighted that my outdoor team is also picking up the habit of winning matches,” he said.
“In 50-over tournaments, we have won 13 matches in a row and also 20 consecutive matches in Twenty20 tournaments.”
Danube have already won the prestigious Bukhatir League title this year and are in the final of the Abu Dhabi Al Hamad tournament.
