First Twenty20 tournament for women soon

Sharjah: The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), with the aim of spreading the game among women in the UAE, will host a women's Twenty20 tournament by the end of this month.

"This is part of our plans to attract women into the game at the grass root level. We want to create as much opportunities for the women to play the game," remarked Mazhar Khan, the administrator of the ECB.

"This tournament will be held as soon as the school examinations get over. This event will be open for all schools, clubs and cricket academies," he added.

Former Indian captain Pramilla Bhatt will also be staging a coaching camp for girls.

"We will stage the tournament at the Sharjah stadium and will offer attractive prizes," said Khan.

For more details on the tournament, contact C. Sudhakar on 050-8614889.

Meanwhile, Sharjah Cricket Council's Inter Bank final between Emirates Islamic Bank and Commercial Bank International will be held on March 10 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium from 1pm.

Commercial Bank reached the final, beating Barclays Bank by eight wickets. Barclays Bank were restricted to 188 for 8 through some tight bowling by Usmam Kutty, Shujat and Shajil, who all took two wickets each.

Commercial Bank raced to the target in 22 overs through Azim's unbeaten 74 and Gitesh's 75.

The Bukhatir league took off with Emirates Islamic Bank beating UAE Nationals team by 72 runs.

In the Nehru Challenge Cup being held at Al Ain, Iqbal Memorial Club lost to Al Fara'a White by 52 runs.

Brief scores

Inter Bank semifinal: Commercial bank Intl. bt Barclays bank by 8 wkts. Barclays Bank 188 for 8 in 25 overs. (Abdullah 62, Shahzad 35, Hasnain 27, Shujat 2 for 27, Shajil 2 for 27, Usman 2 for 30 C.B.I. 192 for 2 in 22 overs (Azim 74 n.o, Gitesh 75, Hussain 2 for 35
Man of the Match: Azam of C.B.I.

Bukhatir League: Emirates Islamic Bank 225 allout in 48.5 overs (Adnan Ariff 58, Asim Kaleem 45, Faizan 36, Udaya 4 for 44, Mohammad Farid 2 for 34, Nelson Pinto 2 for 29, M. Tauqir 2 for 26) UAE Nationals Cricket Team 153 in 32.1 overs (Khurram Saeed 28, M.Tauqir 26, Udaya 21, Naveed 4 for 35, Asim Kaleem 3 for 46, Adnan Ariff 2 for 28).

Nehru Challenge Cup in Al Ain: Iqbal Memorial Club lost to Al Fara'a White by 52 runs:
Al Fara'a White 187 for 4 (Sanira 24, Mohammad Haroon 143 n.o., Arshad Khan 25 n.o.) Iqbal Memorial Club : 187 (Sanam Aftab 41, Sajid Butt 79, Mohammad HAroon 4 for 32, Satish 2 for 38). Man of the Match : Mohammad Haroon of Al Fara'a White

Al Ain Sportplex bt Al Fara'a Blue by 44 runs: Al Ain Sportplex 207: (Ravi 83, Waqas 74 )
Manoj 4 for 33 and Sanjay 2 for 47 Al Fara'a Blue 163 : (Sanjay 34, Anoop 45, Waqas 2 for 15, Imran Hussain 2 for 29). Man of the Match : Waqas of Al Ain Sportplex.