ABU DHABI // A rollercoaster week of emotions for the Alubond Tigers ended with them winning Abu Dhabi’s Premier Division 1 cricket title, the Techaccess Cup.
The Tigers had initially lost to United Bank Limited (UBL) in the semi-finals, only to receive a surprise second chance. The other semi-finalists, Ibsons and Danube Lions, were disqualified for rules violations.
The Abu Dhabi Cricket Council (ADCC) decision set up a rematch between the Tigers and UBL, with the Tigers winning at the second time of asking in Thursday’s final at Zayed Cricket Stadium.
“This is the first time something of this nature took place, but it was more of a sporting gesture to have a final between the tournament’s best two teams after the other two semi-finalists were scratched,” said Wajahat Husain, president of the ADCC.
“Cricket is still a gentleman’s game and it has to be played in that spirit. It is unfortunate it happened in a Division 1 tournament. Had it been any other team than UBL, the final may not have taken place.” Competition rules dictate no team can use more than 18 players during the tournament.
The Lions lodged a protest after their defeat to Ibsons as the latter had exceeded the allowed number of players. Ibsons countered that the Lions had committed the same offence, resulting in both teams being disqualified.
UBL were cup winners as per competition rules, having beaten the Tigers in the semi-finals.
However, the ADCC decided to stage the final between UBL and the Tigers following a meeting and securing the agreement of UBL.
The Tigers made full use of their second opportunity as they won by four wickets with 3.2 overs to spare after successfully chasing down UBL’s score of 234.
“We lost a close semi-final match to them by 14 runs and we got this opportunity to play them again and win this time,” Tigers captain Nasir Aziz said.
UBL chose to bat first and were bowled out for 234. The Tigers knocked off the winning runs for the loss of six wickets.
Shaiman Anwar, the UAE batsman, led the way for the Tigers with 83, which included seven boundaries and one six, after Abdullah Ameer had grabbed four UBL wickets.
apassela@thenational.ae
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