Ajman: The cream of youngsters in UAE’s domestic cricket have sparkled in the Ajman Cricket Council — Young Talent Cricket Academy (YTCA) five-nations cricket tournament.
This tournament for various age categories dividing players in the UAE into teams of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, UAE, Bahrain and England was fiercely contested.
Speaking to Gulf News, Shahzad Altaf, chief coach of YTCA and architect of this tournament said: “Over 500 players are playing in this tournament. A grand capping ceremony was held at the Ramada Hotel for the players, with former Indian Test star Pravin Amre and former England player Geoff Cook attending the function.
In the past there have been teams from England, South Africa, Bahrain, Oman, Pakistan and India participating in this annual tournament. This year’s visiting teams comprised of England — Durham, India — Push Cricket Academy, Pakistan — AQICA and Bahrain played top class competitive Cricket with the UAE counterparts.
Sama Sports — YTCA Pakistan won the Under-17 title while UAE emerged champions in the under 14 event. The matches were held in Ajman MCC, Eden Garden Oval and YTCA’s new facility in Al Bataya Sharjah. The final was held in the presence of Cook.
The organisers feel this tournament has been very competitive and have thrown up some promising players likely to represent UAE under 19 teams in future.
Wasi Shah (Pakistan YTCA) and Kai Smith (UAE CoE) won the player of the tournament for U17 and U14 categories respectively. Adithya Prakasan and Cherian George (India Young Champions), Shoun Roger (UAE CoE), Mahith Fonseka and Dillon Bastian (Sri Lanka YTCA), Shival Bawa (UAE FLCA), Ali Mirza (Pakistan YTCA ), Rishabh Mukharji and Milind (UAE YTCA), Pranav Makhmale and Shayaan Ali (UAE YTCA), Ayaan Khan (India Panthers), Neil Lobo and Clarin Flemin (India YTCA) were some of the stars of the tournament.
“This is one of the most invigorating and enthusiastic tournaments played for the juniors in the UAE. Shahji Ul Mulk of Ajman Council is helping a lot to improve cricket in Ajman for juniors and seniors. For the fourth consecutive time Ramada Hotel & Suites — Ajman has provided sponsorship support to boost the event,” said Shehzad.
