KUWAIT CITY, Nov 16: United XI defeated last year’s champion Goan Boys to win the BEC T10 cricket cup organized by RedNBlack cricket Club in Abu Halifa. On a beautiful Friday Morning, United XI won the all important toss and opted to field first. In all the previous matches, whenever they won the toss, United XI preferred to chase a target set by the opposition and that worked well for them always. In the final also, they decided for the same tactic and the decision paid out very well.

The Goan Boys’ captain Vicky did not get disheartened by the loss of toss and decided on an attacking strategy with his regular openers Dileep and Babloo. But, bowlers of United Eleven had done their homework very well. Assisted by the light breeze blowing , they stuck to the basics and bowled magnificently well. With the objective of keeping the score down, they bowled to a plan and the Goan Boys openers couldn’t find gaps in the United XI fielding. The bowlers maintained a tight line and length and never let the batsmen dominate them at any stage. Their economy rate was very good and this soon spread frustration with the Goan batsmen.
As a result, in the second over, United XI ‘s Sunil uprooted the middle stump of Babloo with a beauty of a yorker, and followed on to pick up the wicket of Rajesh for a duck in the penultimate ball. Goan Boys couldn’t find their rhythm and started loosing wickets at regular intervals.
The run rate never went above 4 runs per over and the former champions could score only 42 runs with 7 wickets down in their stipulated overs. All the bowlers of United eleven were in fine touch and they found superb rhythm in their bowling attack.

In reply, United eleven started off well with Arif and Ram. With a paltry score to support them, the bowlers of Goan Boys never posed any threat to these batsmen. Goan captain Vicky tried his best to encourage his team, but an already disheartened team, were found wanting in the field too. Ultimately , it became a game of mental strength and the United XI managed to keep the pressure on the Goan bowlers, who seemed lost in touch.
Finally , Arif took command over the proceedings and finished the job with a spectacular six over the mid on of Sanjay’s ball and finished the job in just 5.4overs. It was really a good treat for the spectators to watch. The most impressive player was Sunil of United eleven who conceded just 4 runs and picked up 3 wickets.

The prize distribution was a brief function and started with the coordinator for the evening Remy, inviting E.D. Titus, Director & General Manager of BEC Exchange to the stage.
There were many people present including officials from BEC Exchange. Jose Thomas, marketing manager of BEC, Sijo Mathew, President of RedNBlack Cricket Club, Jimmy Scaria, secretary and Remi Emmanuel, manager of RedNBlack Cricket Club. In the presentation ceremony, Ed Titus addressed the gathering and congratulated the winners of BEC cup for their collective effort. He also congratulated the other teams for putting up such a spirited performance.

Titus congratulated the RedNBlack Cricket club for conducting a very well organized tournament in a fair manner and appreciated the club for the initiative. The tournament showed that soft ball cricket had a great following in Kuwait .He thanked Smitesh and Jimmy for officiating the match as umpires. Finally the winners trophy was given away by E. D. Titus, to the captain of United XI and Remi handed over the cash prize of KD 150 to United Eleven. Goan Boys received the runners up trophy from Sijo and KD 100 from Jose, Sunil was given a surprise gift by Jimmy as the man of the match of the final. Q8CC were given the consolation prize of KD 50 for the second runner up.

With 32 teams participating over a month long tournament, everybody agreed that this was the best ever Softball T10 tournament held in Kuwait.
Brief Score board
Goan Boys 42 for 7 in 10 overs. (Sunil 11off 8 balls Brasi not out 9of 9 balls) Bowlers of United eleven Sunil 2-0-4-3.
United eleven 43 for no loss in 5.4 overs (Arif not out 23 of 21 balls and Rama not out 15 of 15 balls).
In the losers finals, Q8CC thrashed KIMCO BY 19 runs to be second runners up. Score Q8cc 91for 5 in 10 overs KIMCO 72 all out in 8.5 overs.