Cricket for Care U-15 tournament gets underway on March 23

The third edition of the 'Cricket for Care' Inter-Academy Under-15 tournament will commence from March 23.

This was announced at a press conference by Shyam Bhatia and Dubai Cricket Council (DCC) officials.

Bhatia who has been supporting and sponsoring cricket activities in this country since many years said: "It gives me a lot of joy to see young kids playing cricket and some of the players who have been playing in Cricket for Care tournament have made a name for themselves and have represented the UAe Under-15 squad. It is heartening to see that the tournament has churned out some talented youngsters who are representing the country and I look forward to see it grow on an annual basis. This year I would like to see the youngsters play more overs and have suggested to DCC to increase the overs to give them more experience."   

DCC Honorary Secretary, Mohamed Lokhandwala commended the efforts of Shyam Bhatia and said, "Shyam has been supporting cricket over the years and was kind enough to sponsor the Cricket for Care under-15 tournament when DCC made a comeback after a gap of five years. This year also we have 10 top academies playing in this 25 overs tournament and these teams will be divided into two groups with last years champions G Force Academy and Desert Cubs Cricket Academy heading the two groups."

A total of 23 matches will be played with an increase in the overs for the semi-finals which will now see a 35-over game being played instead of 30 overs while the finals will a 40-over affair in place of 35 overs and these will be played on grass. The league matches will be 25 overs per side.

The third edition of this tournament will see G Force Cricket Academy who have remained unbeaten to-date fight once against twice runners-up Desert Cub Cricket Academy.

Two new teams will be seen participating in this edition with ICC-GCA cricket Academy and Colts Cricket Academy making their first appearances in this competition.

The tournament will be at Sevens on their Sabkha grounds which have cement wickets while the semi-finals and finals will be on grass.

Teams

Group A: Desert Cub Cricket Academy, Maxway Institute of Cricket Academy, Sharjah Cricket Academy, YTCA Cricket Academy, ICC – GCA Cricket Academy

Group B: G Force Cricket Academy, Emirates Cricket Training Sharjah, Emirates Cricket Training Dubai, Zayed Cricket Academy  Abu Dhabi, Colts Cricket Academy

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