EFIA clinch maiden school cricket title

Champions Emirates Future International Academy pose with chief guest Sudhir Shetty, president of UAE Exchange Centre; Qazi Ayub, tournament director; and Shahnawaz Hakim, operations manager Abu Dhabi Cricket Council. — Supplied photo

Abu Dhabi: Emirates Future International Academy won their maiden UAE Exchange Centre Abu Dhabi inter-school title when they upset Abu Dhabi Indian School in the Under-14 final.

EFIA, playing in only their third year, were clinical in all three departments — bowling, fielding and batting — dismissing ADIS for 90 and knocking off the winning runs with nearly three overs to spare, for the loss of three wickets, at the Shaikh Zayed stadium.

Ayman Maab gave EFIA the vital early breakthrough. He got one through the defence of Sahil Hariani (0) to leave ADIS 12 for one and then Zayed Sheikh (0) was run out when the score was 20.

Jonathan Figy, the top scorer with 36, and Sailles Jaishankar (18) took the score to 53 before the latter top edged a delivery from Sagar Binu to leave ADIS tottering at 53 for three in 12 overs.

Figy, who hit five fours in his 32-ball stay at the crease, fell next, to a catch to Fazal Shahid at covers off Saif Khaja and the rest of the ADIS batting folded for just 21 runs. Fazal and Yasir Ali held five superb catches between them. Ishit Patel was rock-solid in EFIA’s chase. He played the anchor role, 34 off 50 deliveries highlighted by three hits to the fence. He was dismissed when his team needed eight to win.

Patel shared a 52-run stand for the second wicket with Ali (19) after Shahid (11) departed at 22.

With EFIA winning the U-14 title, the four age group competitions were won by four different schools.

The Cambridge High School bagged the U-19 title for four years in a row, Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Pakistan School were crowned the U-16 champions and ADIS won the U-12.