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Team Shoaib Malik triumph

ABU DHABI — Shoaib Malik clubbed a brilliant 44 to fire Team Shoaib Malik to a 10-run win over Team Fawad Alam in the final and clinch the Ministry of Labour six-a-side cricket tournament at the Shaikh Zayed International Cricket Stadium on Friday.

The Ministry of Labour had roped in Pakistan international stars like Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik, Sohail Tanveer, Imran Nazir and Fawad Alam for the tournament. The tournament, sponsored by Du, was aimed at promoting Labour Day celebrations. The Abu Dhabi Cricket Council (ADCC) hosted the event on behalf of the Ministry of Labour.

Thirty-six players in the UAE were divided into the six teams. The teams were Team Abdul Razzaq, Team Shoaib Malik, Team Sohail Tanveer, Team Imran Nazir, Team Fawad Alam and Team ADCC.

Put into bat, Team Shoaib Malik ran up a competitive 86 for 2 in their five overs with captain Shoaib Malik cracking an entertaining 44. He started the innings by clubbing Kabir for a six before taking a couple. He then smacked two consecutive boundaries.

Malik slammed spinner Adnan for his third six and then clubbed opposing captain and left-arm spinner Fawad Alam for his fourth six. He looked set for a well deserved half-century and even earned a reprieve on 44 when Alam spilled a chance off his own bowling. But he was out the next ball, caught by Kabir down the leg-side. His 44 came off 15 balls and was peppered with four sixes and two boundaries.

Fellow opener Bakhtiar Palekar scored 30 off 40 balls with seven boundaries before being castled by Adnan. Ihsan Ali hit an unbeaten 10 off four balls with two boundaries as Team Shoaib Malik put up 86 on the board.

Team Fawad Alam were a bit slow to start off with in their chase but southpaw Fawad Alam stepped on the gas. He kept them in the hunt until they required 35 from seven balls but was run out by Shoaib Malik. He fell three runs short of a half-century and his knock came off 18 balls and had three sixes and three boundaries.

Kabir Khan remained unbeaten on 12 from six balls with two boundaries. Team Fawad Alam finished up with 76 for the loss of three wickets in five overs.

Earlier, in the semi-finals, Team Shoaib Malik defeated Team Sohail Tanveer by eight wickets, while Team Fawad Alam beat Team Imran Nazir by nine wickets.

Five thousand labourers withstood the humid conditions to watch the stars in action. And they were not disappointed as they got to watch some competitive and quality cricket from the stars as well as the local players. There were prizes for the spectators too with Du handing out free sim cards. There was also a cash prize of Dh 40,000 for the fans with Dh 500 each being handed out through a draw throughout the day. The 36 local players received Dh 500 each.

james@khaleejtimes.com