Sharjah: Cricket culture nurtured over the years among employees of a bank helped them emerge champions in the UAE’s oldest cricket tournament.
United Bank Limited (UBL) defeated Danube Lions by 76 runs to lift the trophy at the end of the 42nd edition of the Bukhatir League at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium this weekend.
Speaking to Gulf News, UAE opener Amjad Ali, the captain of the UBL team, said: “Our victory is the triumph of a bunch of bankers who worked hard. It is the result of a cricket culture created by our bank management that allows us to train hard. We truly deserve this A division trophy.”
UBL, after winning the toss, posted an impressive 223 runs in 46.5 overs and bowled out Danube for 147 runs in 37.4 overs.
“It has been a great season for us as we lost only two games out of the 30 games we played this season,” added Ali.
The UBL team is managed and supported by two ardent cricket enthusiasts in Wajahat Hussain, President and CEO of UBL, and Qazi Ayub, a former UAE player.
Danube, who put up an impressive show in the tournament en route to the final, were the ideal opponents to test UBL’s strength having made it to the final of the Bukhatir League three times in a row and having also featured in the final of the Abu Dhabi tournament thrice, thus proving their credentials in the 50-over format.
UBL started off by winning the toss and electing to bat first. Danube did peg UBL back initially, picking up three quick wickets conceding just 36 runs. UBL fought back, with in-form batsman Mohammad Boota cracking yet another half-century and put on a partnership of 81 with Bilal Azmat (33). Boota’s 65 came off 69 deliveries with four boundaries and three sixes. However, it was Mohammad Naveed’s breezy 65 off just 34 balls with four boundaries and seven sixes that put UBL on the road to victory.
Danube’s Ahmad Raza bowled brilliantly to take four wickets, but his effort went in vain.
Danube began their chase well with openers Gulraiz Sadaf (32) and Asif Iqbal (26) putting on 59 runs briskly. The rest of the batsmen couldn’t keep up the good work though as Mujahid Amini and Zaheer Maqsood bagged three wickets each.
Sami Nazi’s knock of 35 could only delay UBL’s win.
Brief scores:
UBL bt Danube Lions by 76 runs. UBL: 223 all out in 46.5 overs (Mohammad Boota 65, Bilal Azmat 33, Mohammad Shakir 11, Saqlain Haider 17, Mohammad Naveed 65; Ahmad Raza 4 for 29, Riaz Afridi 2 for 59, Shahzad Manna 2 for 30). Danube Lions: 147 all out in 37.4 overs (Gulraiz Sadaf 32, Asif Iqbal 26, Tarindu Mendis 15, Sami Naizi 35; Mujahid Amini 3 for 24, Zaheer Maqsood 3 for 39, Omar Farooq 2 for 28).
Individual awards: Man of the final: Mohammad Naveed of UBL
Player of the tournament: Sapandeep Singh of Multiplex International (300 runs and 4 wickets)
Best Batsman: Mohammad Boota of UBL (374 runs)
Best Bowler: Ali Afzal (15 wickets).
