Dubai: Hosts Al Sadiq Islamic School, staging an Under-10 cricket tournament for the first time, won their opening match at the Al Sadiq Islamic School playground.
Soon after the event was inaugurated by Aqib Javed, UAE national team coach, in the presence of Emirates Cricket Board and Sharjah Cricket Council officials, Al Sadiq school recorded a 114 runs victory over Gulf Indian High School. Speaking to Gulf News, A.M. Tajammul, the school principal said: “The objective of hosting such a tournament is to give a stage for budding cricketers at a very early age. In the process we will be able to unearth young talent too. We are happy with the huge response and we plan to stage the final at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium,”
Gulf Indian High School won the toss and decided to field; Al Sadiq piled up 160 for 4 in 15 overs. The openers Majid and Bilal put on 99 runs for the first wicket. Majid hit 48 runs with six boundaries and one six. Skipper Zahid who came out to bat at one down smashed a breezy 49 runs with seven fours and two sixes.
In reply, Gulf Indian High School cracked under pressure. They lost their openers for no score in their very first over. Then wickets kept on falling with regular intervals. Finally they were all out for just 46 runs.
The chief destroyer of Gulf School innings was Zahid and Ahmad who took two wickets each. Zahid was declared the player of the match for his allround show.
The main sponsor Nissan’s Sports Division Manager Fatima Vally with Mazhar Khan, the Emirates Cricket Board Administrator, and Ali Anwar Jafry of Sharjah Cricket Council and former UAE player and coach Shahzad Altaf and Tajammul, the Principal attended the inauguration function.
In the next match Progressive English School, Sharjah will take on Dubai Scholars Private School. Twelve top schools are participating in this tournament sponsored by Nissan Middle East and cosponsored by Arab Beverages, Wasmi Water, Al Ain Water, Iffco Distribution Services & Crispo Food Company
