Ajman: Inter Globe Marine Cricket Club (IGMCC) last week emerged as the first champions of a tournament that pitted best-performing teams from across the UAE. The tournament, titled the Cricketers of Professional Attitudes (COPA) Emarati Cup, was held at the Hamriyah Grounds.
Speaking to Gulf News, tournament chief organiser Dr Romit Purohit said: “This was a tournament to spot the champion team among the champions from different domestic tournaments. Twenty-four teams that had won the finals of different tournaments in UAE during the last 12 months were made to contest for this cup.”
The gold-plated winners trophy weighing 11.2kg is the most valuable ever for a tournament held at the Hamriyah ground and was designed in Italy.
In the final between Unicon Real Estate and IGMCC, Unicon decided to bat first but came under pressure straight away as Junaid Siddiquie sent back Naseeb Khan in the second over itself. Siddiquie hardly gave anything away with an economy rate of less than one. He was backed up by good spells from Naveen Kumar and Taqueer Riyasat. Unicon could eventually muster just 89 runs and IGMCC went on to notch an eight-wicket victory.
The final was watched by former UAE captain and chief selector Khurram Khan. Incidentally, the award for the emerging player was named in memory of Khurram’s father Ishtiaq Khan, who passed away recently. Akash Dev of Sealine Cricket team received the trophy from Khurram.
The organisers hit on novel ways to make the tournament attractive for top teams and players. Fancy names certainly helped draw attention for the individual awards, like the best willow award, which went to Dawood Ejaz of IGMCC.
Ejaz, who came away with a haul of eight wickets besides his impressive batting tally of 248 runs, also won the man of the series award — the Gladiator award.
The best bowler’s trophy — Man of Arms — was won by Waqar Ahmad of Unicon Real Estate for his 10 wickets.
Each award winner also received cricket equipment from MB Malik, who were the sports sponsors along with Fast Sports Sharjah.
The organisers have announced two more tournaments. During Ramadan, they will host The Si’yam Ramadan Cup T20 challenge Cup and the Contra Cup 2017 featuring 48 teams is also to be held soon.
