Ten10 format attracts teams in Dubai

Dubai: The Ten10 cricket format has continued to attract clubs in the UAE, with the G Force Premier League T10 tournament held under the aegis of the Dubai Cricket Council at Zabeel Park cricket ground once again proving a great success.

Speaking to Gulf News, Gopal Jasapara, the Head Coach of G Force Cricket Academy and Dubai Cricket Council executive member, said: “When we introduced this format in 2008, we did not expect it to be a success in the light of Twenty20 tournaments getting very popular. Today we have many teams lining up to contest in this event.”

This year’s edition of the tournament began with Everlive Club extending their unbeaten run in defeating Al Masa by 28 runs in the play-off match. Batting first, Everlive scored 89 runs for 4 in the allotted ten overs. In reply, Al Masa were bowled out for 61 runs. Pervez Teja, who scored a quickfire 35, bagged the man-of-the-match award.

“We play this tournament as per the IPL format, where eight teams get to play seven matches in the round-robin and the top teams go on to play in the play-off and the rest play in the quarter-finals and then the semi-finals,” added Jaspara.

Some of the finest B division teams in UAE’s domestic cricket participate in the event such as Wings Group, ANI XI on top, Al Masa, Everlive, Juniper CC , Trichur CC , Farooq CC, and Car Fare. The event is held at Zabeel Park, with players wearing coloured clothing. Al Masa and XI On Top are this week due to play in the semi-final for the chance to meet Everlive in the final. The winners can pocket a Dh4,000 gift voucher and the runners-up will get a Dh2,000 gift voucher from Jasapara Sports.

Brief scores :

Everlive CC bt Al Masa CC by 28 runs. Everlive CC 89 for 4 in 10 overs (Shazad 14, Shakoor 16, Pervez Teja 35 n.o, Mohd. Asif 1 for 25, Yusuf Butt 1 for 9) Al Masa CC 61 in 10 overs (Amjad 12, Murtaza 12, Arshad 2 for 3, Anish 1 for 4). Man of the Match : Pervez Teja.