Sharjah: Sharjah Cricket Council has ensured that cricket does not stop in UAE during the summer.
Following the huge response to the just-concluded Ramadan tournament, which was also played in the summer heat, the council is staging the Sharjah T20 Summer Cup.
Speaking to Gulf News, Mazhar Khan, the secretary of the Sharjah Cricket Council said: “The overwhelming response for our Ramadan tournaments held at the Sharjah stadium and Al Dhaid Cricket Village we have decided to host a summer tournament. Following our announcement 20 ‘B’ division teams enrolled for participation. This tournament will prove that cricket never stops in UAE and will be played 365 days of the year.”
In the opening match, Hologram CC posted a comfortable 31-run victory over Panthers. Hologram got off to a quick start with opener Shad Hamza hitting 18 runs in 16 balls with three boundaries. Vishnu Sukumaran joined Shakeer Hydru and put on a century partnership with Sukumaran scoring 51 runs off 41 balls with three sixes. Hydru fell for 48 from 41 deliveries with the help of four boundaries.
Subin Sulaiman chipped in with 21 runs to help Hologram post 160 for six in 20 overs. For Panthers, Muhib Ullah took three wickets.
Panthers made a slow start with opener Abdul Shakoor Sher scoring 27 runs from 23-balls and losing three quick wickets too.
Jeevan Gangadhar (23) and Abdullah Azhar (31) kept the hopes alive but in the end, Panthers could muster only 129 for 8 in 20 overs. Subin Sulaiman also sparkled with the ball taking three wickets in his four overs for 16 runs.
The teams are divided into five groups consisting of four teams in each group. The tournament is being held on a league-come-knock-out basis.
Brief scores: Hologram CC bt Panthers CC by 31 runs. Hologram CC: 160 for 6 in 20 overs (Shakeer Hydru 48, Vishnu Sukumaran 51, Subin Sulaiman 21; Muhib Ullah 3 for 23, Abdullah Azhar 2 for 47). Panthers CC: 129 for 8 in 20 overs (Abdul Shakoor Sher 27, Jeevan Gangadhar 23, Abdullah Azhar 31, Subin Sulaiman 3 for 16).Man of the match: Subin Sulaiman.