Figy leads Abu Dhabi Indian School to title

Abu Dhabi: Jonathan Figy led from the front with the bat to see the Abu Dhabi Indian School to the UAE Xchange U-19 Abu Dhabi School League title, beating Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Pakistan School by eight wickets at the Shaikh Zayed Stadium.

Figy, the UAE U-19 international, made an unbeaten 63 and was also involved in an useful partnership of 88 runs with captain Akhilesh Ramesh to script a fine win after restricting Pakistan School to 133 for six earlier on.

The partnership ended after Ramesh was run out to a direct hit from Shah Faisal, an U-19 UAE player, but by then the former had contributed with a useful 31 off 35 deliveries.

Abu Dhabi Indian School then lost Sidharth Ramesh (3) to another direct hit from Haji ur Rahman but then ensured that they did not lose anymore wickets. Figy and Sahil Hariani (19 not out) got them home in 17.2 overs.

“The team plan was for the others to bat around me, which they did, especially Akhi, with whom I managed to give the team a good start. We thought it was a total we could chase down if we played to our potential. The opening stand provided us that platform. I think the bowlers too did a pretty good job on a good batting strip,” said a beaming Figy, whose innings was laced with eight fours and a six.

He also won both Man-of-the-Match and Man of the Tournament awards. He had, in all, amassed 259 runs and nine wickets in four innings. The U-16 final between Pakistan School and Emirates Future International is slated for December 15.

Brief Scores: Abu Dhabi Indian School beat Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Pakistan School by eight wickets. Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Pakistan School 133 for 6 in 20 overs (Rehan Azam 34, Hafeez ur Rahman 27 not out) Abu Dhabi Indian School 136 for 2 in 17.2 overs (Jonathan Figy 63 not out, Akhilesh Ramesh 31).