Rahul spins Heriot Watt to title

Dubai: UAE Under-19 left-arm spinner Rahul Bhatia flew out for the Asian Cricket Council Western Region tournament in Malaysia after three impressive spells in UAE Inter-University domestic cricket competition.

His spectacular spell of five wickets for 10 runs in the final against Skyline University helped Heriot-Watt win by 20 runs and emerge as the champions of the second University Premier League (UPL) Twenty20 championship organised by the Ajman Cricket Council and supported by Young Talent Cricket Academy (YTCA). The tournament was held at the Ajman Eden Ground.

In the semi-final, Rahul had claimed four wickets.

Speaking to Gulf News after receiving the man-of-the-final award, Rahul said: “It is great to produce match-winning spells as I always try to give my best. As I am going to represent UAE Under-19 team in the Asian Cricket Council Western Region tournament in Malaysia, this performance will boost my confidence. Representing UAE Under-19 team in a warm-up match for the tour against Midlands University from UK, I had produced another spell of five wickets too.”

Against Midlands in the 40-over match, Rahul’s bowled eight overs and took five wickets for 19 runs.

“It feels good to take 14 wickets from three matches and I want to continue this form,” he said. “I am thankful to Rohit Singh, my university team captain for using me at the right time with a plan against all top teams.”

The top universities that took part in the Inter-University tournament were Skyline, Manipal, Middlesex, Bits Pilani, American University of Sharjah, Heriot Watt and Wollongong.

“It was 15 days of intense cricket played after college hours at night and we are delighted to back the inter university tournament at a time when inter university tournaments are dwindling in UAE,” said Shehzad Altaf of Ajman Council and YTCA.

In the final, Heriot Watt posted 124 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs with UAE’s Indian Premier League player Chiragh Suri topscoring with 38 runs. Ali Mirza hit 19 runs while Parteek chipped in with 31 runs.

In reply, Skyline were bowled out for 104 in 19 overs despite their skipper Khalid Shah coming up with a fighting knock of 44 from 40 balls.

Rahul virtually ran through Skyline’s batting line-up.

Ali Khalil, HR officer of Conmix Limited, along with Shahzad Altaf, awarded the prizes.

Usman Munir of Skyline was chosen the best bowler of the competition while Rohit Jamwal of Heriot Watt was adjudged the best batsman. Rahul Bhatia of Skyline was named player of the final while Khalid Shah of Skyline took home the man of the series award.