Gulf Cobla stop Al Kabeer to win AJ Sports floodlit tournament
Gulf Cobla cricket team, playing for the first time in a tournament under the floodlights, snapped Al Kabeer's victory-run to win the AJ Sports Floodlit cricket tournament at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Gulf Cobla cricket team, playing for the first time in a tournament under the floodlights, snapped Al Kabeer's victory-run to win the AJ Sports Floodlit cricket tournament at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Gulf Cobla restricted Al Kabeer to 165 for nine in 30 overs and reached the target losing just three wickets. Al Kabeer, who had won the Sharjah Cricket Council league, were expected to win this title too.
"We have been performing extremely well though we are a new club. We have so far reached the semifinals but never got to win a tournament. It is a big boost for us," Aklaq Malik, the Gulf Cobla vice captain, told Gulf News after the win.
"This win is special to us as we have never got to play night cricket. It is the support from our sponsors, Gulf Cobla, that has helped us do well," added Malik.
Al Kabeer, electing to bat first, lost their prolific scorers Kashif Butt and Ghafoor Butt quickly. Gulf Cobla wicketkeeper Rafiullah took the catches from Kashif (3) and Kamran Durrani (37) down the leg side.
Al Kabeer's middle order batsmen Imran Khan (29) and Imran Zafar (21n.o) chipped in to ensure a total of 165 for nine. Shahtaj Shaji bowled well to pick four for 31.
Gulf Cobla began the chase badly losing the wicket of Rafiullah to the first ball of the innings from Aamir Rafique. Shaji joined Moshin and the pair put on 100.
Shaji left after scoring 40, but Moshin went on to hit an unbeaten 83 (71b, 5x4, 2x6) to ensure a seven-wicket win.
Gulf Cobla received the winners' trophy and Dh5,000, while Al Kabeer got the runners-up trophy and Dh3,000. Kashif Butt won the best batsman award, Shahtaj Shaji (best bowler) and Harris (man of tournament) awards.
In the Westar Cup held in Dubai Belhasa and Tiger Cricket Clubs registered victories in the league round.
Summarised scores:
AJ Sports Floodlit tournament (final)
Al Kabeer 165 for 9 in 30 overs (Kamran Durani 37, Imran Khan 29, Shahtaj Shaji 4 for 31, Sahan 2 for 36, Azam 2 for 24) lost to Gulf Cobla 166 for 3 (Mohsin 83, Shaji 40, Sahan 26). Man of the match: Mohsin
Westar Cup (league phase)
Maxima Computer 106 in 22.4 overs. (Shahid Mohammed 36; Asghar Ali 3/21) lost to Tiger Cricket Club 108 for 2 in 16.4 overs. (Kashif Butt 52). Man of the match: Asghar Ali.
Belhasa 237 in 25 overs. (Usman 60, Shafaqat 78, Saleem Khan 36; Roshantha 5 for 54, Nissanka 2 for 39, Neel 2 for 35) bt Jumeirah 193 in 23.3 overs. (Chandana 80, Arif 43; Saleem Khan 3 for 40, Afzal 2 for 22, Ajmal 2 for 16). Man of the match: Shafaqat.
