By K.R. Nayar
Rizwan CP celebrated his birthday by guiding InterGlobe Marine to an eight-wicket win over Future Mattress through a scintillating unbeaten knock of 70 in the Cup final of the of the Sharjah Ramadan League 2022 powered by Fancode T20 tournament at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. He lit up the final of the 33rd edition of this tournament through his knock that came off 40 balls with five boundaries and four sixes, and along with consistent opener Asif Khan’s 59, they carried their team to the target.
Future Mattress had posted a respectable score of 182 for 9 in 20 overs with almost all their top batsmen contributing to the total. However, they could not stop InterGlobe Marine’s batsmen from winning in 18.3 overs.
It was a well-fought final from the start as Future Mattress, who were put in to bat by InterGlobe Marine, kept scoring at a brisk pace. Their batsmen did make a valiant effort but their best was not enough to stop InterGlobe Marine.
Future Mattress’ opening partnership was impressive as they posted 55 runs in 6.2 overs before Zawar Fareed got clean bowled to Atta Ullah for 12. From this strong start, opener Abdul Shakoor and one-drop Qamar Awan took the score to 109 in 11.4 overs before Qamar Awan got out caught by Basil Hameed off Asif Khan for 47. A huge score was expected off Rohan Mustafa but Asif Mumtaz trapped him leg before for a duck. Mumtaz struck again to dismiss a well set Abdul Shakoor, caught by Atta Ullah for 39.
Ali Shan Sharafu and Usman lifted the team from the sudden fall of wickets and took the score to 171 in 18.3 overs when Sharafu fell for 32 to Mohammad Zahid. Syed Haider Shah too became a Zahid victim for a duck. Atta Ullah then got Umair Ali out for 1 and Usman was also out for 25 in quick succession. In the end, Future Mattress posted 182 for 9 at a run rate of 9.10.
Future Mattress’ total was indeed a winning score. But InterGlobe Marine went about the task in a determined manner. Opener Sandeep Singh batted in his usual aggressive style scoring 26 runs in the opening partnership of 40 runs with Asif Khan. Sandeep got caught by Sharafu off Umair Ali.
Rizwan joined Asif and the pair batted well maintaining the run flow. Both dominated the bowling till Rohan Mustafa had Asif Khan caught by Sharafu for 59. His knock off 46 balls had seven boundaries and a six.
Khan departed at the score on 146 in 15.2 overs. Yasir Khaleem and Rizwan then steered their team to the target in 18.3 overs with Yasir Khaleem remaining unbeaten on 21. Rizwan CP, after his unbeaten 70, returned to the dug-out along with Yasir Khaleem, and they were clapped all the way.
Speaking about his Man of the Match award performance, Rizwan CP said: “Bukhatir League has always been my favourite tournament. I have great memories including the unique record of scoring 114 and bagging six wickets in a match. Once during the highest ever chase of 356 runs, I hit an unbeaten 85. I’ve also bagged seven wickets in a match once. So being able to win the Cup for my team was a great birthday gift.”
The colourful presentation ceremony was attended by Khalaf Bukhatir, CEO Sharjah Cricket, and Mazhar Khan, General Manager Sharjah Cricket Stadium as the curtains of the 33rd edition of one of UAE’s oldest domestic tournament’s T20 edition came down. The function was also attended by the sponsors like Green Solutions Our Souq (Associate partners of the tournament), and HB for the Real Heroes who was the Gear Partner of the tournament.
Brief scores:
InterGlobe Marine bt Future Mattress by 8 wkts. Future Mattress 182 for 9 in 20 overs (Abdul Shakoor 39, Qamar Awan 47, Ali Shan Sharafu 32, Usman 25, Mohammad Zahid 2 for 32, Atta Ullah 3 for 35, Asif Mumtaz 2 for 32) InterGlobe Marine 184 for 2 in 18.3 overs (Sandeep Singh 26, Asif Khan 59, Rizwan CP 70n.o, Yasir Khaleem 21n.o)
Individual awards:
Man of the Match: Rizwan CP
Player of the tournament: Abdul Shakoor
Best batsman: Fayyaz Ahmed
Best bowler: Hazrat Bilal
Promising youngster of the tournament: Sanchit Sharma