UAE's richest cricket event takes off
Alleppey and Kasargod win opening matches as event begins at ICC grounds in Dubai
Dubai: The Kerala Premier League (KPL) which has created history in UAE's domestic cricket as the richest tournament transforming local cricketers into professionals, took off at the International Cricket Council Global Academy Oval ground on Friday with lots of fanfare.
The tournament was inaugurated by K.B. Ganesh Kumar, Kerala's Sports Minister, in the presence of Indian Test star Shantakumaran Sreesanth, and film stars Suresh Gopi and Bhama. The match commenced after Kumar performed the toss and the brand ambassadors handed over team caps to all the players.
In the opening matches of the day, CSS Alleppey Ripples defeated Spring Cricket Academy Trivandrum Royals by 58 runs while Thumbay Kasargod Leopards defeated Wedlock Mallapuram by 30 runs.
J.R. Shaji, the owner of Capital Group, consented to be the title sponsors of the month-long tournament, which will now be known as the Capital KPL tournament.
The stars of the day were Shanil Mohammad of Mallapuram, who produced a deadly spell of 6 for 31, Haroon Ifthikar of Kasargod, who hit 76 runs, and Sajid Ali of CSS Alleppey who bagged four wickets for 22 runs. Alleppey Ripples made up of the popular Consolidated Shipping Services team players piled up 180 for 9 through Mohammad Shehzad's 39 and Asif Iqbal's 36. Biju Nair, who is the skipper and owner of the Trivandrum team, bagged three wickets with his off spin. Trivandrum were bowled out for 122 mainly due to Ali's four wicket spell.
Kasargod overcame a deadly six wicket spell from Mallapuram's Shanil Mohammad mainly due to Haroon Ifthikar's 76.
The tournament will see the best of UAE's domestic players from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka play alongside Kerala players for different districts and is being held under the auspices of the Dubai Cricket Council.
Summarised scores:
CSS Alleppey Ripples bt Spring Cricket Academy Trivandrum Royals by 58 runs.
CSS Aleppey 180 for 9 in 20 overs (Asif Iqbal 36, Hareesh M. 22, Mohammad Shehzad 39, Fayyaz Ahmed 22, Mohammad Tauqeer 22 n.o., Nelson Terrance 2 for 14, Biju Nair 3 for 24) Trivandrum Royals 122 in 17.2 overs (Sashikanth 57, Fayyaz Ahmad 2 for 10, Sajid Ali 4 for 22) Man of the match: Sajid Ali.
Thumbay Kasargod Leopards bt Wedlock Mallapuram by 30 runs Thumbay Kasargod 181 all out in 19.1 overs ( Amjad Gul 36, Haroon Ifthikar 76, Rohan Mustafa Khan 42, Shanil Mohammad 6 for 31, Shailesh Karami 2 for 26) Wedlock Mallapuram 151 for 9 in 20 overs (Aneesh Kakkoj 23, Shailesh Karami 20, Shanil Mohammad 22 n.o.) Man of the match: Haroon Ifthikar.
