Dubai. Golden Tower towered over Ocean Fair Strikers to emerge as the champions of the 15th City Diamond, UAE National Day Cup tournament at the Ocean Fair sports ground. This annual seven-a-side tournament staged to celebrate the nation’s 45th UAE National Day was contested by eight top teams.
Hafiz Kaleem, who hogged the limelight with consistent knocks was the architect of Goldern Tower’s victory. In the final against Ocean Fair Strikers, Kaleem hit 32 runs off just seven balls. Capitalising on this breezy knock, Golden Tower posted 74 for three.
Chasing the total, Ocean Fair Strikers could muster only 63 for no loss despite efforts from Yousuf Butt who was unbeaten on 30 and Hasnain Raza’s unconquered 25 runs. Golden Tower had reached the final defeating Anchor Marine by 17 runs in the semi-final.
In this match too, Kaleen top scored with 30 to help Golden Tower post 62 for two. Anchor Marine scored 60 for one but fell short of the target by 17 runs.
Ocean Fair Strikers reached the final by defeating Deccan Stars by six wickets in the second semi-final. Deccan Stars could muster only 32 for four in five overs. Ocean Fair Strikers reached the target through Yousuf Butt’s unbeaten 22. The prizes donated by Deepak Arora of City Diamond were given away by veteran cricketer Freddy Sidhwa and organiser Tariq Butt.
Brief scores:
Final: Golden Tower bt Ocean Fair Intl. by 11 runs. Golden Tower scored 74 for 3 in 5 overs. (Hafiz Kaleem 32) Ocean Fair Strikers 63 for no loss in 5 overs. (Yousuf Butt 30n.o, Hasnain Raza 25n.o)
Man of the match final: Hafiz Kaleem of Seven Seas.
First Semi-final: Golden Tower bt Anchor Marine by 17 runs. Golden Tower 62 for 2 in 5 overs. (Hafiz Kaleem 30) Anchor Marine scored 60/1 in 5 overs. (Ammad Jami 29)
Second semi-final: Ocean Fair Strikers bt Deccan Stars by 6 wkts. Deccan Stars 32 for 4 in 5 overs. (Usman Ahmed 2 for 4) Ocean Fair Strikers 32 for no loss in 5 overs. (Yousuf Butt 22n.o).
Individual awards: Best bowler: Usman Ahmad (Ocean Fair), best batsman: Hafiz Kaleem of Golden Tower. Man of the tournament: Waheed Ahmed of Golden Tower
