Sharjah: Riding on the exploits of their star players — Ronak Panoly, Varun Nayanar and captain Varun Ravi — Gems Modern Academy retained the Maxtalent Global Sports inter-school under-14 tile, defeating Our Own English High School, Sharjah by eight wickets at Skyline University ground.
Panoly, who created history in this tournament by cracking 256 runs off just 72 balls for the highest individual score in inter-school cricket, sparkled with the ball in the final, by taking three wickets for 24 and Our Own School to 129 for 5 in 20 overs.
Chasing the score, Gems raced to victory in 17.3 overs through Nayanar’s 60 off 50 balls and Ravi’s 54 off 49 balls.
Panoly bagged the prestigious player of the tournament and best batsman awards while Ravi bagged the man of the final award.
Speaking to Gulf News, Modern Academy team coach Mohammad Shafiq said: “Our team’s victory is due to the hard work of the boys and the school management’s support that ensures regular training. We are the most consistent schools cricket team in the UAE winning Under-10, 12, 15 and 17 age group tournaments. Our school’s girls’ team also won the Under-13 and 17 tournaments.”
Our Own’s consistent batsman Shoun Roger displayed his immense talent to crack a fighting 79 off 60 balls. Roger had hit two centuries in this tournament to carry the team into the final but his knock went in vain.
Mazhar Khan, secretary of the Sharjah Cricket Council, gave away the prizes. Gems elected to field. Roger and Ayyan Khan (26) put on a 78 runs opening partnership in 12 overs. Despite the best of their effort, Our Own could not accelerate their run rate with Panoly striking repeatedly with Ravi bowling tight.
Though Our Own realised that their team was around 30 runs short, they fought back removing openers Rudra Mahadev and Panoly (8) quickly. Ravi and Nayanar put on a 114 runs to ensure that their team reached the target.
Mazhar presented a special recognition cum appreciation plaque to Panoly for his historic knock and also umpire Amir Mushtaq who in the past seven years officiated in 251 Maxtalent Vision and Pride Cup matches.
Brief scores: Gems Modern Academy Dubai bt Our Own English High School Sharjah by 8 wickets. Our Own School 129 for 5 in 20 Overs ( Shoun Roger 79, Ayan Khan 27, Ronak Panoly 3 for 24) GEMS Modern Academy Dubai 131 for 2 in 17.3 Overs (Varun Nayanar 60, Varun Ravi 54) Man of the final: Varun Ravi. Best Player of the tournament: Ronak Panoly, best bowler: Archit Rajesh, best batsman: Ronak Panoly.
