Danube Lions roar to victory in Debonair Pizza T20 Cup

Danube Lions emerged champions of the Debonair Pizza T20 Cricket Cup after defeating Ibsons CC by 34 runs in the final played at the Fairground Oval of the Dubai Men’s College on Friday.

The tournament in its second year was conducted by the Dubai Cricket Council (DCC) with sponsorship from Debonair's Pizza, a popular brand from South Africa with support from Roti Mum.

Danube made the most of the opportunity dished out to them on a platter by Ibsons when they were sent in to bat. Openers Asif Iqbal and Prashanth Braggs gave their team a rollicking start.

Both batsmen threw caution to the wind by executing some delightful strokes to all parts of the ground.

The duo were involved in a 54-run partnership before Prashanth departed after a superb 24 from 15 balls with a four and two sixes.

Asif followed his partner soon back in the pavilion after a breezy 26 from 19 balls which contained a six and two fours.

Thereafter there was a minor stutter from the Danube batsmen as they were suddenly struggling at 86 for 4.

However, Anoop Ravi and man of the match Hammad Azam revived the innings with a solid 52-run fifth-wicket partnership.

That gave the team some breathing space.

Ravi hit a four and a six before being dismissed for a run-a-ball 27, but Hammad carried his bat through.

And after 20 overs he helped Danube reach a fighting total of 187 with his own contribution being an unbeaten 58 from only 26 balls.

The beauty about his innings was his six sixes which he lofted with ease.

Inspired by Hammad, Yasir Shah too played a nice little cameo in the end hitting 13 runs from five balls with 12 runs coming through boundaries.

Ibsons too had a decent opening of 25 runs before Faizan Asif was out for 11.

Ramiz Raja and one-down Malik Ibrahim then played sensibly to take their team towards the 100-run mark.

But Ibrahim’s ouster for 35 from 25 balls (2x4, 2x6) opened the floodgates from which Ibsons never recovered.

Despite Ramiz Raja playing a defiant 50 the team lacked the much-needed support from the other batsmen and crumbled to 153.

Danube’s Riaz Afridi led the bowlers with three wickets, followed by two each from Rohan Mustafa and Yasir Shah.

Brief scores (final)

Danube Lions beat Ibsons CC by 34 runs

Danube 187 for 6 in 20 overs (Hammad Azam 58 n.o., Anoop Ravi 27, Asif Iqbal 26, Prashanth Braggs 24; Malik Ibrahim 2-41, Faiz Ahmad 2-20, Irfan Ahmad 1-43, Umaid Asif 1-47) Ibsons 153 all out in 19 overs (Ramiz Raja 50, Malik Ibrahim 35, Shahzad Malik 17; Riaz Afridi 3-40, Rohan Mustafa 2-38, Yasir Shah 2-10, Zahoor Khan 1-22). Man of the match: Hammad Azam of Danube.

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