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28 March 2024

Afridi inspires Dubai Lions to win inaugural Sharjah Sixes

Dubai Lions after winning the inaugural Sharjah Sixes. (SUPPLIED)

Published
By Staff

Dubai Lions roared past VIBHS to emerge the champions in the inaugural Grand Midwest Sharjah Sixes, organised by the Sharjah Cricket Council on Friday night.

It was a night to remember at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium with a huge crowd gathering to witness the legends of the game present at the venue.

Many former and current international cricketing legends including Mustaq Mohammad and Bishen Singh Bedi were present for the grand finale.

In the final, Dubai Lions, which included Pakistan star Shahid Afridi, came up with a wonderful batting performance as they surpassed a challenging target of 65 in the final over to win the title, which included a trophy and a cash prize of Dh40,000.

The runners-up VIBHS won a cash prize of Dh25,000 with a trophy, while the second runners-up Peach Club Lahore earned Dh15,000 and a trophy.

Batting first, a strong VIBHS batting failed to live up to the expectations as they lost wickets at regular intervals.

Thanks to late 15 with the help of two sixes from M Salman and 12 from Sohail Khan, VIBHS managed to reach a healthy 64 in five overs.

Chasing, Afridi smashed two boundaries to reach a quick nine but after he departed the focus shifted to Ahamed Shehzad, who was the top run scorer at the Bangladesh Premier League.

He single handedly took Dubai Lions past the target scoring an unbeaten 36 studded with four huge sixes and a lone boundary. Hammad Azam chipped in with a crucial 13.

For the third place, former Pakistan cricketer Rana Naveed (20) and Asim Saeed (22) shone as Peach Club Lahore beat Alubond Tigers by a convincing three wickets.

Needing 61 to win, Peach Club Lahore chased down the target in 4.3 overs.

The Plate final was won by GMW Royals who defeated Chaanakyas Kerala 6s by three wickets after Pakistan cricketers Umar Akmal and Abdul Razzak came up with scintillating batting performances.

Batting first, Chaanakyas scored a challenging 62 for two in five overs thanks to R Mani’s superb 36.

Chasing, Akmal led the charge smashing a quickfire 33 including four mighty sixes and a lone boundary while Pakistan’s allrounder Abdul Razzak smashed three boundaries and two sixes to score a quick 21 as GMW Royals surpassed the target with three balls to spare.

Sharjah Cricket Council vice-chairman Waleed Bukhatir, Secretary Mazhar Khan, Zafar Shah, Managing Director of Grand Midwest Hotels, who are the main sponsors of the event, were among the dignitaries present during the presentation ceremony.

Brief scores

Final

Dubai Lions bt VIBHS by 3 wickets: VIBHS: 64 for 5 in 5 overs (K Mansoor 11, Khalid Latif 10, M Salman 15, Sohail Khan 12) Dubai Lions 70 for 2 in 4.3 overs (Ahamed Shahzad 36, Shahid Afridi 9, Hammad Azam 13).

Third place

Peach Club Lahore bt Alubond Tigers by 3 wickets: Alubond Tigers 60 for 1 in 5 overs (Zahir Malik 21 not out, Umair Ali 31 rtd) Peach Club Lahore 62 for 2 in 4.3 overs (Asim Saeed 22, Haroon Ahamed 11, Rana Naveed 20 not out).

Plate final

GMW Royals bt Chaanakyas Kerala 6s by 3 wickets: Chaanakyas 62 for 2 in 5 overs (R Mani 36 rtd, P Achuthan 10; Imran Muneer 2 for 4) GMW Royals 64 for 2 in 4.3 overs (Umar Akmal 33, Abdul Razzaq 21).

Awards:

Best Batsman: Ahmed Shehzad of Dubai Lions – Dh2,000 + Trophy

Best Bowler: Nasir Aziz of Alubond Tigers – Dh2,000 + Trophy

Player of the Tournament: Khalid Latif of VIBHS - Dh5,000 + Trophy