Sharjah: Sharjah Cricket Club won the 29th Ramadan Rathath MF Cup 2017, organised by the Sharjah Cricket Club through a power-packed all-round performance to stop the formidable Alubond Tigers by six wickets in the final at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Alubond’s strong batting line-up got restricted to 154 for 9 in 20 overs through tight bowling from Sharjah Club’s captain Ahmad Raza with three wickets and backed by Mohammad Shahzad Manna, Imran Haider and Shaiman Anwar with two wickets each.
Sharjah then raced to the target in just 17 overs. Waqas Ahmad top-scored with 76 from only 22 balls. Chirag Suri, who returned from Indian Premier League scored, an unbeaten 30 and with Basil Bin (43 not out) put on an unbroken 70-run stand for the fifth wicket to ensure that the team reached the target.
Speaking to Gulf News after the victory, skipper Raza said: “Lifting the Ramadan Cup was a very special moment. For me personally it was a nostalgic feeling because as I was born in UAE and my father used to bring me as a child to watch this tournament, which is older than me. To captain the team to victory in such a tournament with excellent team support was brilliant.
“Thanks to our team owner Waleed Bukhatir support that all our players put their heart into it and fought hard. The performance of the team and being able to bowl well has added to my confidence as I am preparing for the UAE team bound for UK and Amsterdam. Hope more victories will come our club’s way.”
Alubond Tigers had a good start with openers Mohammad Qasim (12) and Wajahat Butt (30) putting on 47 runs for the first wicket. Rinku Kumar hit a 29-ball 39, with a boundary and three sixes while Amjad Gul scored a 17-ball 40 with two fours and four sixes.
Khalaf Bukhatir presented Dh1,500 each to Waqas and Basil, who played brilliantly in the final. Waleed Bukhatir and Bobby Suri, whose Rathath Marble Factory, sponsored the event gave away the prizes.
Brief scores:
Sharjah Cricket Club bt Alubond Tigers by six wickets. Alubond Tigers 154 for 9 in 20 overs (Wajahat Butt 30, Rinku Kumar 39, Amjad Gul 40; Ahmad Raza 3 for 46, Mohammad Shahzad Manna 2 for 37, Imran Haider 2 for 30, Shaiman Anwar 2 for 13) Sharjah Cricket Club 156 for 4 in 17 overs (Waqas Ahmad 76, Chirag Suri 30 not out, Basil Bin 43 not out; Sultan Ahmad 2 for 37, Asif Mumtaz 2 for 29). Man of the match: Waqas Ahmad.
Individual awards:
Man of the final: Waqas Ahmad; Best Batsman: Babar Ghanzanfar; Best Bowler: Mujahid Amin; Player of the tournament: Shaiman Anwar; Special Award: Chirag Suri for being part of IPL-2017.
