Abu Dhabi: United Bank Limited (UBL) won the sixth ADCC President's Cup cricket final with an eight-wicket win over first-time finalist Thrifty Car Rental at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Friday afternoon.
UBL, who were playing in their second final of the season, having finished runners-up in the first one, proved too strong for Thrifty who have done admirably well in reaching their first-ever final.
Batting first, Thrifty were going well at 60 for one with their star batsmen Syed Nawaz and Mohammad Muzambil batting well. But UBL skipper and veteran Qazi Ayoub dealt a double blow when he sent back Nawaz for 25 and Muzambil for 17, the two having put up 48 runs for the second wicket.
Left arm spinner and ECB player Ahmad Raza soon got into the act with three wickets and Thrifty soon lost five wickets for 18 runs and were reduced to 78 for 6. Fayaz Ahmad picked up two more wickets but an unfinished 38-run ninth wicket stand between Mohammad Gafour and Mohammad Raza lifted Thrifty to 148 for 8 in 25 overs. Gafour slammed three sixes and one four in his 32-ball 36 while Raza remained unbeaten on 18 from 12 balls.
The bank's men, who have three ECB players in their ranks, saw wicket-keeper batsman Amjad Ali send the Thrifty bowlers on a leather hunt. Ali belted five sixes and eight boundaries in his whirlwind knock of 91 not out while Abdullah Afzal chipped in with a 36-run knock, the two putting on 99 runs for the second wicket.
Amjad Ali was named Man of the Tournament (239 runs and 11 dismissals) while Dilan Chanduka of Al Fahim (364 runs) and Mudassar Ijaz of ADAT (14 wickets including a hat-trick) were adjudged best batsman and best bowler respectively.
"It has been a good season so far and we are happy with this win. We are hoping to do well in the remaining tournaments as we have a good blend of experience and youth," said Ayoub.
Brief scores
UBL beat Thrifty Car Rental in the President's Cup final by 8 wickets
Thrifty: 148 for 8 (Syed Nawaz 25, Mohammad Gafour 36 n.o, Mohammad Raza 18 n.o, Ahmad Raza 3-25, Qazi Aub 2-27, Fayaz Ahmad 2-19)
UBL: 149 for 2 (Amjad Ali 91 n.o, Abdullah Afzal 36)
Man of final: Amjad Ali of UBL
