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Al-Feroz Youngsters defeated Elite Force Choudhary by 41 runs to emerge as the champions of the inaugural West End Park Ramadan cricket tournament on Thursday. |
The tournament, under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani (Secretary General, Qatar Olympic Committee), hosted the Final at West End Park Stadium. The sense of occasion was palpable with both teams focused to win the highest amount prize money in domestic cricket’s history. An estimated crowd of 500 fans attended to lend their support and enjoy the action with Mana al-Mana (Chairman West End Park), the chief guest of honour.
Al-Feroz won the toss and elected to bat to take the early score initiative. The impressive Inam Ul Haq blasted 49 runs and Faisel 33 to help their side reach a total of 175/6 in the stipulated 20 overs. The Al Feroz batting innings took a little time to click, after 12 overs their total was a modest 70 runs.
However over 100 runs were scored on the last 8 overs to give Elite Force plenty to think about at the break. For Elite Force, Kaaleed scalped three wickets and Kamran Khan took two.
In reply, Elite Force were unable to replicate the aggressive batting displayed by Al-Feroz in the late overs and eventually short by 41 runs.
Iqbal top-scored with 47, while Farhan made 18 as Elite Force made 134/6 in 20 overs. Al-Feroz’s Nadeem scalped two wickets so did Inam Ul Haq, who was adjudged the Man of the Match. Al-Feroz took home the QR 50,000 prize money, with Elite Force collecting QR 25,000 as Runners-Up.
Mana al-Mana commented: “Congratulations to Al-Feroz & Elite Force for delivering high quality performances worthy of a Final, Al-Feroz have indeed made deserving Champions with consistent performances throughout. I am delighted the tournament has been so well received and the international class facilities at West End Park enjoyed by the cricket fraternity in Qatar, the tournament has been a great advertisement for local cricket.”
“The good news is that there is plans for future local and international tournaments in the coming months to excite all fans of cricket. The first of which will be a smaller format tournament to celebrate Eid al-Fitr next week to be announced imminently. Special thanks to His Excellency Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani for his support of the Ramadan Tournament,” he added.