Dubai: Imagine playing cricket in this soaring heat and producing an all round performance to bag the man of the match award. What makes the deed even more spectacular is the fact that the player who bagged the man of the match is a sexagenarian.
Freddy Sidhwa, of Seven Seas, once again defied his age to produce a deadly four wicket spell with his left-arm spin and emerge as the second top scorer with an unbeaten knock to help his team beat Dubai Spartans Cricket Club in the final.
"Heat is just a matter of the mind. All my players are used to playing in the heat and have regularly played in the summer. We have one more tournament pending to play and we will play with the same enthusiasm," said Sidhwa.
Sidhwa loves cricket in the summer and so does all his teammates. He sponsored this tournament, which is called the Seven Seas Service Cup, and also staged it at his company's ground under the auspices of the Dubai Cricket Council.
Determination
For Sidhwa, quenching the thirst to play cricket is like drinking water during the match.
"We all make sure we drink lots of water during the match and also complete the match before the Sun reaches its peak," added Sidhwa, whose spell made sure that his team had to remain on the field for only 14 overs.
Spartans were bowled out for 80 runs in 13.3 over, the lowest score in the tournament. Sidhwa returned with figures of 4 for 20 with good support from Garaz and Hasnain, who also took three wickets each.
Chasing the target, Seven Seas' Asif hit a quick 43 runs with good support from Sidhwa, who remained unconquered on 24.
Losing just two wickets, Seven Seas won the match in just 8.3 overs.
In the semifinal, Seven Seas' Javed Butt cracked a brilliant 164 and was judged as the man of the tournament.
Summarised scores: Seven Seas bt Dubai Spartans Cricket Club by 8 wkts. Dubai Spartans 80 in 13.3 overs. (Freddy Sidhwa 4 for 20, Faraz 3 for 8, Hasnain 3 for 31) Seven Seas 83 for 2 in 8.3 overs. (Asif 43, Freddy Sidhwa 24n.o)
Individual awards: Man of the Match: Freddy Sidhwa. Best Bowler: Asif Iqbal of Seven Seas. Best Bastman: Irfan of Dubai Spartans. Man of the Tournament: Javed Butt of Seven Seas.
