Dubai: Cricket academies in the UAE are competing to give exposure to their budding players in the ongoing Ramadan tournaments. The result is that cricketers below the age of 18 are producing sterling performances against cricketers twice their age and even challenging experienced teams.
In the Dubai Dulsco Ramadan tournament, G Force cricket academy entered the fray with a team comprising players below the age of 18. Jash Giyanani, a 12-year-old left arm orthodox spinner was picked by G Force to play against Medeor 24x7 Hospital, making him one of the youngest players to feature in a Ramadan tournament.
Eighteen-year-old Divyendu Shekar produced a decisive five-wicket spell against Hypertech Hologram with his accurate right arm off-spin. Hypertech were restricted to 149 for 9 but G Force were bowled out for 83 in 18.4 overs
Speaking to Gulf News, Shekar who had trained at G Force Academy from the age of 13, said: “I played for UAE Under-19 team in 2014 but now study in Chandigarh. I make sure to come and train with G Force and was delighted to play in a Ramadan tournament. I am delighted that I could produce a five-wicket spell.”
G Force academy chief coach Gopal Jasapara says: “It is important cricket academies play in such tournaments. We have lost the matches but done well against even formidable teams like Multiplex. Being young, they cannot hit huge sixers like the cricketers much older than their age but they are learning a lot.”
Hypertech’s total was largely built on Shakeer Hydro’s 51. Shekar picked five wickets out of nine to fall giving away just 29 runs.
In the Al Dhaid Ramadan tournament, the clash between Sharjah Cricket Academy and Desert Cubs Academy ended in a tie. Desert Cub’s Ashley Lobo hit 121 runs from 70 deliveries and, for Sharjah Cricket Academy, S. Khalid hit 117 runs off 52 balls. Both teams scored 214 runs in the allotted 20 overs.
Giyanani was picked by G Force to play in the Ramadan tournament having taken 16 wickets in the National Cricket League this season. His previous exploits include a seven-wicket spell giving away just four runs in eight overs in an Under-15 tournament conducted in Al Ain.
Meanwhile, Advantage Motors have entered the semi-final of the Dulsco Ramadan tournament defeating Emrill Cricket Club by 86 runs. The hero for Advantage Motors was Adnan Arif who hit 67 runs and took three wickets.
Brief scores:
Hypertech Holograms bt G Force Cricket Academy by 66 runs. Hypertech Holograms 149 for 9 in 20 overs (Shakeer Hydro 51, Divyendu Shekar 5 for 29. G Force Cricket Academy 83 in 18.4 overs (Rizwan Sadiq 3 for 17, Waseem Mohammad 2 for 12). Man of the match: Shakeer Hydro
Advantage Motors bt Emrill Cricket Club by 86 runs. Advantage Motors LLC 233 for 7 in 20 overs. Adnan Arif 67, Rinku Kumar 79n.o., Azhar Gul 42, Indika Massalage 2 for 28) Emrill CC 147 for 8 in 20 overs (Indika Massalage 34, Shahid Iqbal 26, Adnan Arif 3 for 29, Zahoor Farooqi 3 for 28). Man of the Match: Adnan Arif
