University cricket gathering momentum in UAE

Sharjah: Varsity cricket is growing in popularity, if the success of the 14th edition of Inter-University cricket hosted by Skyline University College is anything to go by.

Heriot Watt University emerged as the new champions after defeating four-time champions American University of Sharjah in the final at the Skyline cricket ground.

The tournament highlighted the need for more high profile events for college students in the UAE, as inter-university cricket clashes have always been played with huge fervour.

The Skyline University College and Maxtalent Pride Cup Inter University tournaments are the only two prominent and regular inter-university contests in the UAE.

Young Talents Cricket Academy and now a few universities too have started staging tournaments.

Speaking to Gulf News, S. Benjamin, the Head of Sports of Skyline College, said: “Our tournament has always been eagerly fought. Even before we created our own turf cricket ground we staged this tournament at Umm Al Quwain, Ajman and even Sharjah Stadium. This time, we staged the entire tournament on our ground and 11 universities fought hard for the title.”

Heriot-Watt played like champions from the start and outplayed American University of Sharjah (AUS) by seven wickets. In the semi-final, they stopped defending champions Skyline by 38 runs.

In the final, AUS, who were put in to bat, found the runs hard to get against Heriot’s tight bowling. Except for Umer who scored 31 off 41 balls, none of the other batsmen rose to the challenge. AUS were restricted to 131 for 7 in 20 overs.

Heriot’s openers went for their shots right away. Adnan top-scored with 56 off 34 balls with seven boundaries and two sixes backed by Aqib Malek with 39 runs off 42 balls with four boundaries and a six to win the match in 17.4 overs.

Sudhakar Shetty, the Head Coach of Maxtalent Academy, which conducts the Maxtalent Inter-University Pride Cup said: “For the last nine years we have staged inter-university cricket and it is one of our hard-fought events. With many students continuing their education in UAE at Universities here, there was a need for inter-university cricket and our tournament is today contested by 14 universities. It’s only if there are inter-university tournaments [available] that a student can claim to be part of his college team. In fact, many UAE players have come to the limelight through inter-university matches.”

Qasim Zubair, one of the former stars of the Heriot team, went on to play for UAE and is today part of teaching faculty of this college. Current UAE stars Ahmad Raza, Naeemuddin and Vikrant Shetty came to the fore through inter-university matches.

Waleed Bu Khatir, the chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board Domestic Cricket Development Committee and vice-chairman of Sharjah Cricket Council and Aqib Javed, UAE national team coach and former Pakistan Test star, gave away the tournament prizes.

Javed, who is hunting for talent to represent the UAE Under-19 team, said: “I could see many probables for the UAE Under-19 team in action. It is through such tournaments that youngsters should aspire for higher level of cricket.”

Salman Babar of Skyline University, who cracked an unbeaten 152 against American University of Dubai and was involved in a record 270 opening partnership with Abullah Azhar, won the best batsman award.

Nasir of American University of Sharjah and Moshin of Heriot Watt shared the best bowler’s award while Rehan Ali of American University of Sharjah bagged the prestigious best all-rounder award.