Active IT win Dulsco Ramadan Cricket Tournament - 2010

DUBAI: Active IT Distribution won the 9thDulsco Ramadan Cricket Tournament which concluded on Saturday at the Zabeel Park Dubai.

In the final Active IT defeated Arabian Gulf Establishments (AGE) Group by five wickets. Electing to bat first, AGE Group put on 153 runs for the loss of six wickets while Active IT reached the target in 16.4 overs losing five wickets.

The 20-over tournament was organized by Dulsco SC in association with the Dubai Municipality and was played under the aegis of the Dubai Cricket Council.

"We are happy to win this title," Active IT captain Parvez Ahmed said with a beaming smile. "This was a good win for us and we hope this will inspire us for fetch more trophies," he added.

"We have a blend of youth and experience and hope this victory will give us a boost in the forthcoming tournaments," he added.

Active IT, taking part in the tournament for the fourth time, proved they are a force to reckon with and walked away with the title.

Ahmad's counterpart Manal Siddiqui said it was a bad day for them. "We failed to put up a good score which we could defend," said Siddiqui for whom it was their third time in this tournament.

"Although we did not have any big names, we managed to upset last year's runners-up Bhatkal CC who had stunned mighty Yogi Group in the quarters. All our players are young and are fighting for a place in the team. We were forced to reserve Taqi Shah, who took four wickets in our win against Pacers Ramadi," he added.

He hoped that his youngsters would learn something from the loss and said that his manager and sponsor Faisal Atique was always an inspiration for his team.

AGE Group made an explosive start hitting 15 runs in the first over and appeared to be heading for a big score. However, Active IT bowlers came out strongly and restricted them with their accurate deliveries and tight fielding.

Captain Manal Siddiqui and Mohammed Azeem put on 19 runs for the first wicket. But the captain was caught in the second over after he made 19. Abdul Shakoor walked in and attempted to pep up the innings. But he became Kashif's second victim after he hit a nine-ball 15 which included one six and two fours.

Azeem (19) and Haseeb Tariq (26) then boosted AGE Group's score but failed to keep up the momentum. Two quick wickets of Amjad Khan (0) and Irfan Arif (4) dented their progress further.

Ibrahim Khan and Faraz Naeem gave their innings some respectability and remained unseparated with the former making 24 and the latter hitting a 17-ball 30.

Kashif was the most successful bowler for the winners claiming three wickets for 21 runs in his four-over spell.

Gopal Jasapara picked up two for 22 in his three overs.

Needing run rate of 7.6 per over, Active IT made a disastrous start losing their top order batsmen and were reduced to 35 for three by the fifth over. However, Faizan Iqbal and wicket-keeper Ashraf Nainad boosted their innings. After Ashraf was caught off the bowling of Shibit for 40 Faizan completed his half century before falling to Azeem. Faizan belted six sixes and two boundaries for his 56 and faced 27 deliveries.

Captain Parvez Ahmad (23) and Naeemulah Khan (8) saw them home in the 17thover.

Faizan was named the man of the final.

Mr. Johnson Alexander, Director of HR and QHSE of Dulsco, was the chief guest and gave away the prizes. Others who were present for the final included Rajesh Ramachandran, Director of Finance and Administration,Prakash Parab, Director WMS, Mohammed Bilal Hasan, General Manager of IT Dept. Rajesh Ramachandran, Director of Finance and Administration, Javed Butt, PRO of Dulsco and Prakash Chugani, General Manager of HR & QHSE Department, Luis Fernades-General Manager of Finance and Administration, Muhammad Iliyas of Engineering and Property Services, Mohammad Ayub- Senior Manager QHSE, Farook Siddique- Member Dubai Cricket Council and Syed Khaleel- Supervisor, Zabeel Park.

Rafik Shaik Senior Administrator-Sports & Welfare, Dulsco proposed the vote of thanks.

Shaiman Butt of Yogi Group was named the best batsman for his 270 runs. Irfan Haider the best bowler for his 13 wickets while Shahzad Farooq of Pacers Ramadi walked away with the best all rounder of the tournament for scoring 152 runs and taking eight wickets. Bahadur Ali Khan and James Anthony were the umpires for the final.

Brief scores

Active IT Distribution beat AGE Group by five wickets.

AGE Group 153 for 6 (Faraz Naeem 30*, Haseeb Tariq 26, Ibrahim Khan 24*, Manal Siddiqui 19, Mohammed Azeem 18, Abdul Shakoor 15; Kashif Rana 3 for 21, Gopal Jasapara 2 for 22). Active IT Distribution 159 for 5 in 16.4 overs (Faizan Iqbal 56, Ashraf Nainad 40, Parvez Ahmad 23*; Rasheed Abdul 2 for 38).

Man of the final: Faizan Iqbal of Active IT Distribution.

Best batsman: Shaiman Butt of Yogi Group

Best bowler: Irfan Haider of AGE Group

Best all-rounder: Shahzad Farooq of Pacers Ramadi.

Umpires for the final: Bahadur Ali Khan and James Anthony.