Al Jabeen Heroes claim DCC Ramadan title

Al Jabeen Heroes celebrate after beating Team Interface Transworld. — Supplied photo

Sultan Ansari stole the thunder in a pulsating final of the 2^nd Interface Ramadan Cup 30-over cricket tournament with a sterling all-round performance to guide Al Jabeen Heroes to a narrow five-run win over Team Interface Transworld at the Fairground Oval of the Dubai Men’s College on Friday night.

The tournament was organized by the Dubai Cricket Council (DCC).

Sultan was devastating with the bat blasting away 55 runs from just 51 balls with four fours and two sixes as Al Jabeen posted 200 for 9 from their 30 overs. He then returned to mesmerize his opponents with the ball to finish with fantastic figures of 5 for 33 and win the man of the match award as Interface fell short of their target and lost by five runs in what was an edge-of-the-seat thrilling final.

It was a memorable and richly deserved day for Al Jabeen Heroes. Not only did they walk away with Dh30,000 for winning the title they also bagged awards in other categories.

Yaqoob Masih topped the tournament scoring 213 runs to win the best batsman award and a cash prize of Dhs 500, while Imran Munir, also of Al Jabeen, was declared the best bowler with 12 wickets. He took home Dhs 500 as well.

Ahmed Shoukat, of Brooks CC, was declared the Man of the Tournament with 177 runs and five wickets. His efforts earned him Dhs 1,000.

A total of Dh52,000, the highest by any standards in a Ramadan tournament so far in the UAE, was dished out with Interface, the runners-up, walking away with Dh20,000.

With a lot at stake the final lived up to its billing. Al Jabeen won the toss and without hesitation decided to bat.

They lost opener Amit Verma early but Yaqoob Masih and Praveen Yadav constructed a well-compiled 40-run partnership. Just when the two batsmen looked settled Jagrit Anand struck to get rid of the hard-hitting Masih for 33 off 13 balls (4x4, 2x6).

Thereafter Al Jabeen lost their way and wickets kept tumbling like nine pins as they suddenly found themselves staring down the barrel at 6 for 88.

The advent of Sultan Ansari at this stage changed the course of the match. Sultan and Praveen joined hands for a 75-run crucial partnership which took Al Jabeen out of a hole. Praveen departed for 63 off 70 balls (3x4, 2x6) by which time he had done enough damage. But Sultan continued to torment the Interface bowlers slamming 55 from 51 balls (4x4, 2x6) as Al Jabeen cruised to 200 for 9 from their 30 overs. Interface lost Hiten Dalal early in their chase, but Pradeep Malik and Nitish Rana kept them in the fray with a 39-run partnership when Nitish was sent packing to the pavilion.

Thereafter Bilal Irshad joined Pradeep and runs started to flow from their bats. The writing was on the wall now for Al Jabeen as a 151-run partnership between these two batsmen had taken Interface to within striking distance of victory.

But all of a sudden disaster struck once Pradeep was sent back by Imran Munir as that opened the floodgates for Sultan Ansari to wreck one batsman after the other and finish with five wickets.

Bilal continued to battle but was unfortunate to have finished on the losing side despite a heroic knock of 72 from 40 balls which included six boundaries and five towering sixes. Had he received even a little support from his teammates it could have been a different story.

DCC thanked IP Khaitan for his true support towards the sport and for coming forward to sponsor the tournament which has grown over the years in popularity. Nalin Khaitan, son of IP Khaitan, was present at the final and gave away the prizes. He also received a memento, as a token of appreciation from the DCC.