UAE cricket finds its Tendulkar and Kambli

Thirteen-year-old opening batsmen Nelukshan de Silva and Ashley Lobo laid claim to a world record after figuring in an unbeaten stand of 274 in just 20 overs.

Their monumental effort came during the Nissan Gulf Cup cricket tournament at the DPS grounds at the weekend.

The record-setting pair from Desert Cubs Cricket Academy (DCCA) made merry at the expense of Elite Cricket Academy (ECT) who replied with 130 for seven.

Nelukshan, who scored his maiden hundred last year at the U-15 Cricket for Care tournament, was in a more belligerent mood needing just 72 balls for his 158 which was studded with eight sixes and 16 elegant boundaries.

Ashley's 54-ball 101 was spiced with four sixes and 12 boundaries.

The stand brought back memories of the world’s greatest batsman in today’s era Sachin Tendulkar and former Indian cricketer Vinod Kambli.

On February 23, 1988, the duo as schoolboys played in Mumbai’s Harris Shield tournament.

Tendulkar teamed up with his buddy Vinod kambli to put a stand of 664 runs.

When the innings was declared, Tendular was on 326 and Kambli was on 349. St. Xavier's school was at the receiving end. Shardashram had scored 748 runs  at the loss of 2 wickets in 120 overs

People who had watched this game unfold at Azad Maidan remember it vividly for the prophetic manner in which the two scored – both went on to play for India.

Now, both these UAE youngsters showed great application and maturity belying their age during their mammoth unbeaten partnership, stamping their growing reputation as one of the most formidable and attacking opening pairs in the local junior cricket circuit.

Ashley has amassed 261 runs in five innings in this tournament while Nelukshan also has an impressive tally of 239 in as many innings.
 
Faced with a daunting task, ECT lost wickets at regular intervals and ending on 135 for seven off their allotted overs.

Brief scores

DCCA 274 for no loss in 20 overs (Nelukshan de Silva 158 not out, Ashley Lobo 101 not out) ECT 131 for 7 in 20 overs (Alister 41, Jacob 30, Ramal Perera 2 for 8)

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