A daring start for UAE nationals

Sharjah: The first cricket club made up exclusively of UAE nationals made a scorching debut at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday.

With the temperature touching over 40 degrees centigrade and 75 per cent humidity, the nationals sweated it out to display their talents and produce a brilliant show.

Though they lost the match by 42 runs to Young Talents Cricket Academy, they proudly announced their entry into the local cricket arena in style.

A large number of male and female nationals waving the UAE flag encouraged the debutants.

When Alawi Shukri, the young captain of the UAE Nationals Club walked out to toss, they gave him a standing ovation.

They cheered the team on to the field when they decided to field after winning the toss.

The team was made up of players from Sharjah, Al Ain, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Hamad Al Muhairi, an allrounder, was delighted at the opportunity to play a match.

"I fell in love with cricket while studying in Mumbai's Fatima High School. I am happy at the formation of such a club," he told Gulf News.

Omar Al Gafri too fell in love with cricket while studying in Hyderabad.

Fahad Al Hashemi, who has already represented UAE national team and has put up sterling performances in international matches, took two wickets.

Seventeen-year-old skipper Shukri led the team from the front, top scoring with a sparkling 49.

He has played for UAE Under-19 team and has been the vice captain of the Under-17 and Under-15 teams.

Shehzad Altaf, the coach of the Young Talents Cricket Academy, who has offered to provide free coaching for the UAE nationals, along with former UAE team chief selector Abdul Razzaq Kazim provided the tips for the team. Even the sponsors Shukri Al Braik and Saeed Digeil sat through the heat and watched the action.

First blow

Hashemi struck the first blow by dismissing opener Manish Dhakan for 10 in the sixth over of the match. He struck again to force next man Sa'ad to play on to his wicket.

At one stage Young Talents slipped to 85 for 5 but Anish (36) and Jigger (45) help them record a respectable 193 in 43.3 overs.

UAE Nationals Club chased brilliantly through Shukri, whose knock contained three boundaries and a huge six.

However, Gul Raiz (4 for 33) and Vignesh (3 for 23) upset UAE Nationals Club from recording a stunning victory. Summarised scores:

Young Talents- 193 in 43.3 overs (Anish 36, Jigger 45, Salaar 24, Fahad Al Hasmi- 2 for 40, Nasir 2 for 32)

UAE Nationals 151 in 28.1 overs
(Alawi Shukri 49, Fadhil 22, Gul Raiz- 4 for 33, Vignesh- 3 for 23, Shahrukh 2 for 15).