Sharjah: Alubond Tigers recorded their eighth tournament victory by registering a seven-wicket victory over Red Flowers Tourism in the final of the Sharjah Cricket Council’s eighth Al Dhaid Ramadan Cup.
Alubond once again displayed their huge batting strength and extended their victory run. This is the second final that Red Flowers have lost to Alubond this season after the Asianet Premier League final.
UAE’s promising batsman Rameez Shahzad ensured Alubond’s victory with three balls to spare through an unbeaten 86. Alubond’s bowling attack led by UAE captain Amjad Javed, Sultan Ahmad and Umair Ali with two wickets restricted Red Flowers to 169 for 8.
Speaking to Gulf News, Javed, who bagged the best bowler of the tournament award, said: “It’s a delight to be part of this team for the last two years. We are winning because it is a professional outfit well managed by the owners of the team. It’s great to win the best bowler of the tournament ensuring the team’s victory. By representing Alubond I am playing with most of the national team players and that gives the same confidence of playing for the UAE.”
After being put in to bat, Red Flower got off to a good start with opener Waqas Raja hitting a quick 19 runs before being run out. Yassir Kaleem (31) and Ubadah Barmawar (51) steadied the run flow but the two wicket spells led by Javed checked the run flow.
Chasing the score, Alubond lost two wickets quickly but Shahid Sadiquee hammered a fine 45 with two boundaries and five sixes. Rameez Shahzaad and Amjad Gul took the game away from Red Flower through an unbroken 166-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Rameez’s 86 runs contained seven sixes and a boundary while Amjad remained unbeaten on 23 with two sixes.
Brief scores:
Alubond Tigers bt Red Flower Tourism by 7 wkts. Red Flowers Tourism: 169 for 8 in 20 overs (Yassir Kaleem 31, Ubadah Barmawar 51, Amjad Javed 2 for 33, Sultan Ahmed 2 for 25, Umair Ali 2 for 32). Alubond Tigers: 170 for 3 in 19.3 overs (Shahid Sadiquee 45, Rameez Shahzaad 86no, Amjad Gul 23no; Waqas Raja 2 for 10). Man of the match: Rameez Shahzaad.
Individual awards: Best Batsman: Yassir Kaleem (Red Flower Tourism).
Best Bowler: Amjad Javed (Alubond Tigers)
Player of the tournament: Waqas Raja (Red Flower Tourism)
