Adat claim Al Qantara T20 trophy

Abu Dhabi: A swashbuckling knock from Javid Khan and a fine spell of bowling by Davindra Taneja helped Abu Dhabi Airport Technology (Adat) claim the Al Qantara T20 cricket trophy.

Led by veteran Salim Raza, Adat recorded a 68-run win over newcomers Colombo Lions to end a two-year title drought in the capital. Khan belted seven sixes and five boundaries in his 21-ball knock of 71, and his unbeaten innings complemented the fine work done by the Atad top order.

Opener Mohammad Sulaiman (20), Zeeshan Khan (34), Raza (25) and Davindra Taneja (29) made useful contributions up front before Khan, coming in at five-down, tore into the Lions' bowling to help Atad post 206 for 5 in 20 overs.

Taneja and Khan also excelled with the ball as the Colombo Lions chased what seemed to be a tough target. Taneja picked up four wickets for 20 runs, while Khan scalped two and Mudassir Ejaz did the same to bowl the Lions out for 138. Chandra Rajapaksha (33 with five fours and one six) and Senath Sampath (31 with five fours) starred in the Lions' losing cause. Rajapaksha, however, earned some consolation for himself and his team when he won the tournament's Best Bowler award. Indika Sampath, of UAE Exchange Centre, was named Best Batsman, while UAE player Amjad Ali, of United Bank Limited, was Man of the Tournament. Wajahat Hussain, President of Abu Dhabi Cricket Council, Inam-ul-Haq, ADCC general-secretary, and Mohammad Ishaq, MD of Al Qantara, and his deputy Nabeel Ishaq, presented the trophies.