Shorye Chopra claims hat-trick of Shyam Bhatia awards

Dubai: It was a special moment on Sunday evening for the three budding cricketers who received the Shyam Bhatia annual award for excellence from legendary Pakistan batsman Zaheer Abbas.

Shorye Chopra of G Force Academy, for whom the occasion marked a hat-trick of Bhatia awards, ammassed 512 runs in two junior tournaments to win the Dubai Cricket Council’s best junior cricketer award.

Justin D’Souza, who scored 163 runs from his three innings in Abu Dhabi’s under-15 inter school tournament and 184 runs from another three innings in Abu Dhabi’s Under-14 inter school tournament, won the Abu Dhabi Cricket Council’s best junior player award.

Salah Shakeel, who produced deadly spells in the Sharjah Cricket Council’s under -16 inter school tournament with his off spin, won the Sharjah Cricket Council’s best junior cricketer award.

Speaking to Gulf News, Chopra, who scored 231 runs in Sharjah Cricket Council’s Under-16 tournament and 281 runs in Dubai Cricket Council’s Cricket for Care tournament, said: “I am delighted at having registered a hat-trick. It’s also a special moment for me as I got to represent UAE Under-19 team this year and hit a century in the semi-final of the Asian Cricket Council Under-19 tournament against Nepal in Malaysia. I am thankful to my school coaches Shafiq Ahmad and Saleem, Gopal Jasapara of my academy and UAE coach Aqib Javed for all the guidance which has enabled me to win this honour.”

A student of Dubai Modern School and skipper of the G Force Cricket Academy, Chopra regularly steers both the teams to title triumphs with his allround skills. He has now received the Bhatia award from Test captains Kapil Dev, Arjuna Ranatunga and Zaheer Abbas. “It is a special feeling and I will continue to work harder to become a better player,” Chopra said.

D’Souza said he considers the award a reward for his years of hard work. “I have been working hard on my game since the age of six when I went to Young Talent Cricket Academy to learn the basics of the game. I am happy I have been able to score consistently for my school and Zayed Cricket Academy,’ said the 13-year-old.

“I’ve never won a cash award and it feels nice and to receive an award from a great cricketer,” said D’Souza after presenting the cheque of Dh1,000 to his parents.

D’Souza hit 107 against Model School and cracked 103 against Asian International School. “I idolise Virat Kohli and I want to score consistently and represent the UAE soon,” he added.

Sharjah’s Salah Shakeel received the award with the Sharjah Cricket Academy’s team jersey on. “I have been working hard at my cricket academy and really honoured to win this award,” said Shakeel who is a student of Arab Unity School.

“My idol is Saeed Ajmal. My best spell is a five-wicket haul against Millfield School from England. I want to improve and perform consistently,” Shakeel said.