Arab Unity clinch Al Rawabi title

Riding on Mohiuddin Rafae's sparkling 64 (64b, 2x4, 2x6), Arab Unity School lifted the Al Rawabi Inter School (Under-18) cricket title at the Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum ground yesterday.

Arab Unity, after recording a challenging 208 for 8 in 40 overs, bowled out Indian High School for a paltry 85 in 26.4 over to display their supremacy in this most popular tournament organised by the Dubai Cricket Council.

Wasim Rahman, the skipper of Arab Unity won the toss and opened the innings with Rameez Shehzad. The pair gave a splendid start putting on 84 runs for the first wicket in just 20 overs.

Shehzad was the first to go, trapped leg before by Prashant Rao, for 38 Four runs later, Prashant struck again to have Rahman too bowled for 30.

Rafae took up the challenge despite the fall of two quick wickets. He picked the gaps elegantly and with Shehan Kuamarsiri put on 65 runs for the third wicket. Arab Unity sailed past the 150-run mark in the 33rd over. The partnership would have swelled to greater proportions but for Shehan's run out for 22.

Meanwhile, Junaid Liyakhat had Qasim Zubair caught by Dheeraj for 14. Junaid went on to pick two more wickets including the prize wicket of Rafae in the 39th over.

Indian High School began the chase with Ramveer Rai, the skipper of the UAE Under-15 team, and Junaid stroking confidently. Qasim struck the first blow at the score on 17. He bowled Junaid for 10. One-down Aditya Shenoy lasted only six balls before being run out for 5.

Much was expected off skipper Ravi Krishnakumar who joined Rai. They saw the score to 52 when Qasim had Ravi caught by Omer for 5. To make matters worse, next man Sahil Advani ran himself out.

Arab Unity introduced left-arm spinner Maisam Raza. He bowled a beautiful line and length and prevented the batsmen from going for their shots. He trapped Jasmit Kohli as well as Anurag Malhotra leg before to help his school take a firm grip on the match.

Maisam bowled Rai, who stood amidst the ruins with a fighting 27.

Wasim introduced himself and picked two quick wickets to hasten the victory. Hundreds of Arab Unity students ran on to the ground to celebrate the victory. The two heroes, Rafae, a 11th standard student and Raza from the eighth standard were virtually mobbed by their schoolmates while skipper Wasim was hoisted into the air.

Summarised scores:
Arab Unity School 206 for 8 in 40 overs (Rameez Shehzad 38, Wasim Rahman 30, Mohiuddin Rafae 64, Shehan Kumarasiri 22, Junaid 3 for 29, Prashant 2 for 22) bt Indian High School 85 in 26.4 overs (Ramveer Rai 27, Qasim 2 for 32, Maisam Raza 3 for 16, Wasim Rahman 2 for 8) Man of the match Mohiuddin Rafae.