Future Star Legends lift Kuwait U-19 title – Tournament sponsored by Ahli Bank of Kuwait

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KUWAIT CITY, Dec 1: Future Star Legends won the Ahli Bank of Kuwait sponsored U 19 title by posting a comfortable 90 runs victory over CCC (Cricket Coaching Club) XI in the Kuwait Cricket organized junior cricket tournament played at Sulaibiya ground on Nov 24, 2015. As part of its vision to promote and develop grass root level cricket, Kuwait Cricket has been continuously conducting cricket tournaments for Under 16 and Under 19 categories.

Ahli Bank of Kuwait lived up to their reputation as a partner in progress with Kuwait Cricket and as part of their Corporate policy of Society development and commitment, sponsored this wonderful event. The occasion was graced by the presence of Ahli Bank of Kuwait stalwarts Balwant Bains, Chief Internal Auditor and Shankarlal Dahima, Assistant General Manager, Finance Department.

On a beautiful evening with gentle breeze flowing across and the bright flood light spreading all over the field, Future Star captain Mursheed won the toss and elected to bat first. The tall and lanky Haseeb & Safwan opened the innings for Future Star and put on 19 runs for the first wicket and as they were about to go further Shiv Govind the CCC off spinner foxed Safwan to play a bit too early and the catch was well taken by Manjot Singh at mid-off. Meanwhile, Haseen who found his rhythm played a casual cover drive and was caught by Gokul of Hannan Javed for 11 runs.

Thereafter, Hamoud & Mredul playing positive and authentic cricket helped Future Star to soar to a match winning total and on a batsman friendly wicket the duo enjoyed the track which offered no bounce or turn and applied aggression in waves reminiscent as they underlined their ability to dominate the opposition by posting 102 runs partnership for the 4th wicket. The CCC bowlers bowling with an over-reliance on the short pitched balls met with severe punishment as Hamoud &Mredul pulled and cut the deliveries with awesome power. Hamoud was at his very best as he showed the right intent to come forward the strike the ball with great authority. Hamoud’s match winning knock of 65 runs contained 2 towering sixes and 4 hits to the fence while Mredul, playing stylish cricket stepped out to hit the overpitched deliveries with precise timing and confidence as his valuable 45 runs had 2 sweetly timed sixes and 1 boundary. Shiv Govind, the right arm off spinner was the pick of the bowlers as this budding young cricketer bowled a tidy line and length and accounted for 2 wickets for 20 runs.

The CCC chase was led by non-other than their right handed skipper Manjot Singh who responded quite positively and the manner in which he grafted the innings one thought that he was unstoppable. Gokul on the other hand rotated the strike to give his senior partner more strike and as Manjot grew in confidence he stroke the ball beautifully to find the rope so regularly. Both the batsmen pierced the gap and hit with power as the intensity to score on a faster pace increased.

In the process to score fast, Manjot was cleverly deceivedand bowled by an in swinging yorker from Haseeb and once the gate was opened the Future Star bowlers led by Salman Khan skittled the CCC innings to a paltry 60 runs. Manjot Singh injected impetus into the CCC innings with a wonderfully made 39 runs which had 2 soaring sixes and 2 fours. Salman Khan bowled with pace and venom as his masterly bowling figures read 4-1-4-5. Haseeb picked two wickets for Future Star. Hamoud for his batting display and Salman Khan for his wonderful bowling skills were jointly declared as Player of the Match.

Murali Kutticode, Director of Junior & Corporate Cricket welcomed all and extended Kuwait Cricket’s deep gratitude & appreciation to Ahli United Bank Management. In his brief statement he narrated the need of youth development and urged teams to take part in junior cricket tournaments. Also present during the occasion was Asad Baig, Director General, Kuwait Cricket, Iqbal Vanoo, Deputy Chairman of Council and Mehaboob Khan, Director, Women’s Cricket.

Shankarlal Dahima, Assistant General Manager, Finance Department presented the Runner Up trophy & individual prizes to the CCC players. Dahima congratulated the winning team Future Star legends and extended better luck next time to the CCC team. He urged young players to play more competent cricket and expressed his happiness in being involved in the development of junior cricket.

Balwant Bains handed over the winning trophy & individual gifts to the Future Star players. added that he was pleased to see Balwant Bains was highly impressed with the lush green ground and the infrastructure of the ground and praised Kuwait Cricket for arranging such a spectacular event for school children. He further stated that youths have to be involved in sports and games for their career development and keep playing the game of cricket in its true spirits.

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