Dubai: Phoenix Medicines emerged as the new champions in the third edition of the Gulf Super Sixes tournament held under the auspices of Dubai Cricket Council at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday night.
Phoenix, mentored by former Indian wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia, defeated the Seven Seas team guided by legendary fielder Jonty Rhodes by four wickets.
Phoenix’s all-rounder Rohan Mustafa grabbed the limelight, averaging 46.50 runs per match and taking vital wickets to steer his team to victory and bag the player of the tournament award.
Speaking to Gulf News after the final, Mustafa said: “It’s a great feeling to play a big part in my team’s victory with great cricketers and win the player of the tournament award in such a big event. My aim is now to bag the Shyam Bhatia’s UAE cricketer of the year award through consistent performances.”
Phoenix elected to bowl first after winning the toss and they bowled brilliantly to take all six wickets to bowl out Seven Seas for 35 runs in 4.2 overs.
Phoenix reached the target in 4.2 overs, losing just two wickets to secure the winner’s cheque of Dh25,000 presented by organisers Crayons Communications, and sponsors, Gulf Oil and Landmark Group. Emax rewarded Phoenix Medicines with an additional cheque of Dh4,000 for their resilient performance.
A delighted Mongia said: “In any tournament you play, a win is a win. It always gives you a lot of satisfaction, pleasure and pride. The standard of play was very good. The cricket was simply beautiful. The batting and bowling were very tough and the fielding standards were simply top class, so I really enjoyed playing in this tournament.”
Ghulam Sahier, who top-scored with 15 runs for Seven Seas in the final, won the best batsman award for averaging 62.5 runs in the tournament, while Salman Faziel bagged the best bowler accolade.
For thousands of spectators, including many schoolchildren, it was a great treat. Jonty Rhodes enthralled the crowd with his acrobatic fielding despite having retired from the game more than nine years ago.
In the first semi-final, Seven Seas defeated an Anchor Marine side led by former Pakistan batsman Ejaz Ahmad by 30 runs, while Phoenix downed Dubai Lions by three wickets in the other semi-final. More than 600 children from Delhi Private School, Dubai, entertained the supporters with a dance performance during break.
Wasim Akram, the former Pakistan Captain and brand ambassador of the event, said: “The sixes, the bowling, the fielding, everything has gotten better, so it is good to see that the Gulf Super Sixes tournament is improving and the overall standard of cricket in the UAE is improving, which in the end is the main idea of the event.”
