Starsline crowned champions in Dulsco Super 8

The inaugural Dulsco Super 8 cricket tournament concluded in dramatic style as Starsline pulled off a thrilling last-ball victory over the more fancied Gulf Healthcare International (GHI) in a finale that extended into the Super Over following a tie.

The victory caps four weeks of cricket fever that involved more than 16 corporate teams from the UAE playing for the high stakes in a round-robin format.

After winning the toss, Starsline elected to bat, knowing GHI's reputation of setting high targets.

In their previous matches in the tournament, GHI have set over-100-run targets more than twice.

Batting cautiously, Starsline managed to make only 69 runs all out in their allotted 8 overs, after collapse despite a good opening stand.

The determined Starsline bowlers then swung into action to defend the relatively small target.
GHI recovered in time and came close to eclipsing Starsline's score.

The last over saw some anxious moments as GHI needed two runs off the last ball, but could only manage the end the game in a draw.

The match then proceeded into the first-ever Super Over of the tournament, with GHI scoring 18 runs.

However, gritty batting by Starsline saw them overcoming the target in the last ball to be crowned the champions of the tournament.

S. Balakumar, Director, Dulsco HR Solutions described the match as a fantastic finale to the month-long cricket excitement.

"Both teams have impressed the audiences with their dexterity with the bat and ball and it is no wonder that we have seen such a close finish," he said.

With 16 corporate teams vying for the top honours, Dulsco Super 8 is aimed at discovering and encouraging some of the best cricketing talent from among corporate teams in the UAE.

The 16 teams were placed in four groups consisting of four teams in a group. The 8-a-side teams were pitted against each other to play 8 overs each side in round-robin format.

The top two teams from each group then moved into the knockout stages, with professional umpires supervising all matches.

Earlier in the evening, GHI breezed into the final after beating DB Schenker in the semi-final stage. GHI posted 93 for four wickets in 8 overs. In response, DB Schenker's batting collapsed and they could only manage 38 runs.

The second semi-final of the evening saw Starsline taking on Inaya, another contender for the crown.

Inaya won the toss and elected to field. Starsline got off to a brisk start but staggered mid-way, thanks to an inspired bowling spell by Inaya, and made only 65 runs.

However, luck was clearly on Starsline's side as Inaya's batsmen found it difficult to withstand their opponent's bowling attack and collapsed for 43.

Brief scores:

Final: Starsline (69 all out) beat Gulf Healthcare International (69 for four). Super over: Starsline (19 runs) beat Gulf Healthcare (18)
Man of the Match: Ahmed Taufik (Starsline)
Man of the Series: Maqsood Hussain (Starsline)

Semi-Final 1: Gulf Healthcare International (93 for 4) beat DB Schenker (38 all out).
Man of the Match: Saud Afzal (Gulf Healthcare)

Semi-Final 2: Starsline (65 runs) beat Inaya (43 all out)
Man of the Match: Ahmed Taufik (Starsline)



 

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