KBC League Cup winners Boubyan Bank cricket team

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 9: Boubyan Bank had to pull out all their experience to overcome the spirited challenge of Ahli United Bank to lift the prestigious Kuwait Banks league CUP trophy played at the Sulaibiya ground, hosted by Kuwait cricket, the apex body of controlling Cricket in Kuwait. In a nail-biting finish, the game was decided in the last ball of the last over when three runs were required and AUB batsman was run out trying to steal the second run, leaving Boubyan victorious by one run.

Ahli United Bank won the toss and elected to field which paid rich dividends as their opening bowlers Sajid Kalam and Nabeel Ghafoor bowled with great fire and accuracy denting heavy blows by dismissing the top three Boubyan batsmen. Sajid Kalam looked very dangerous as he swung the ball both the ways to dismiss Aamir Javed and Hisham Mirza cheaply in the first three overs.

Reeling at 27 for 4 in the 7th over, Boubyan innings was built over some sensible batting by Abid Mustaq and Faraaz who slowly and steadily consolidated the earlier loss with some fine batting display.  Abdi Mustaq will fondly remember the match winning innings that he played as he drove and pulled with awesome power to score 67 runs. Faaraz scored a useful 19 runs. Sajid Kalam took 2 wickets as Saud Qamar, Nabeel Ghafoor and Waleed Mukadam took a wicket each for AUB.

A moderate target to chase on a slow outfield, AUB were also in trouble losing a couple of wickets early but the left handed Sajid Kalam and seasoned campaigner Ghayoor Ahmed put their heads down to play positive cricket by taking quick singles and dispatching the bad deliveries to the fence.

As the partnership was steadily moving ahead to the winning total, Abid Mustaq and Aamir Javed pulled out Boubyan out of trouble by taking regular wickets to restrict AUB’s progress. Sajid Kalam scored 40 runs in 24 balls and Ghayoor scored 31 valuable runs.

Needing 9 runs to win, Fahad Bastaki the last recognized batsman of AUB superbly reversed swept Alwyn to a boundary giving hopes in the AUB dug out but the Boubyan team held to their nerves to clinch the title. Abid Mustaq was the most successful bowler taking 3 wickets while Aamir and Rifkas Ibrahim accounted for two each. Abid Mustaq was adjudged as Player of the match for his all-round performance.

In the PLATE final, Burgan Bank upset the applecart of National Bank of Kuwait by winning the match by 4 wickets. Winning the toss, Burgan bank decided to field. NBK batsmen played to their potential to post a very decent total of 159 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 20 overs. NBK skipper Khurram Rana played exceptionally well with a flurry of boundaries and sixes to score 47 run which gave NBK a rapid start.

Thereafter, Ronney and Imran batted beautifully to counter the Burgan attack with a 65 runs partnership for the 5th wicket. Ronney batted with confidance to score 38 runs and Imran cracked a useful 32 runs. Burgan bowlers Lucas, Amit and Ronaldo bowled well to take two wickets each.

In form Rameez Parkar as usual gave Burgan a flying start with some flamboyant batting and Burgan raised to 94 for 4 midway through the match. As the match was slowly moving towards Burgan’s  hands, NBK bowlers struck at vital intervals through a combination of fine bowling and good fielding leaving the match in anybody’s favor.

 It was at this crucial time that Ronaldo swung his bat and struck a handsome 35 runs in 23 balls to give Burgan their maiden victory which also fetched him the Player of the match award.

Kutaiba Al-Bassam, member of Kuwait Banks Club presented the KBC CUP Winner trophy to Boubyan skipper Faraaz and Runner up trophy to AUB skipper Dinesh Kumar while Richard Groves, Chief Executive officer of Ahli United Bank handed over the PLATE winners trophy to Burgan skipper Manohar Byndoor.  Mrs. Helen Groves, presented the PLATE Runner up trophy to NBK skipper Khurram Rana. Hussein Ali handed over the Player of the match trophy to Abid Mustaq and Mrs Helen Groves gave away the Player of the match award to Ronaldo of Burgan Bank.