Avis lift UAE XChange Trophy

Abu Dhabi: Avis Rent-a-Car got the better of Abu Dhabi Duty Free in a closely-fought final to lift the UAE XChange Trophy here on Friday.

Avis eked out a narrow 9-run win over ADDF to lift their first-ever B Division title in a final which was open until the final two balls at the Zayed Cricket Stadium. Batting first, opener Ravi Verma of Avis scored a sedate 55 but the others in the top order failed. However, Mohammad Iqbal made up with a fantastic knock of 95 off just 56 balls. Avis put up a strong total of 275 for 6 in 35 overs.

Very encouraging

ADDF fought back well. Imran Khan slammed a half century but they fell short by nine runs.

"This is our best moment," said Harbhajan Singh, the skipper and man behind Avis' success. "The management has also been very encouraging and over the last two seasons we have employed nine players. This has helped," said Harbhajan, who played school cricket in Abu Dhabi before representing his district Nawa Sahar in Punjab. Avis had earlier won the Summer League for C Division teams in 2004. "It is great to see a new team emerge as winners here. Over the last few years no single team has dominated here like in the past and that is a good sign," said B.R Shetty, ADCC President.

Scores

UAE XChange Trophy final:

Avis Rent-a-Car beat Abu Dhabi Duty Free 9 runs. Avis: 275 for 6 (Ravi Verma 55, Mohammad Iqbal 95, Inderjeet Saini 33 n.o, Mohammad Qasim 2 for 31, Asif Khan 2 for 29)

ADDF:L 266 for 9 in 35 overs (Imran Khan 51, Sheran C 41, Shahid Ali 42, Nitten Gopal 3 for 44, Mohammad Iqbal 2 for 35, Amin. M 2 for 59)

Other awards:

Man of final: Mohammad Iqbal of Avis

Best batsman: Nitten Gopal

Best bowler: Mohammad Qasim

Man of the Tournament: Amjad Ali of ADDF (498 runs)

ABDUL RAHMAN/Gulf News

Reaping the rewards

The winning team of the UAE Xchange Cricket Trophy,

Avis Rent-A-Car team.