YTCA win SCC Inter-Academy U-13 title

Bowlers stole the show as Young Talent Cricket Academy (YTCA) defeated G Force Cricket Academy by four wickets to emerge triumphant in the SCC Inter-Academy Under 13 tournament held under the auspices of Sharjah Cricket Council.

Winning the toss at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday, YTCA bowlers justified the decision to bowl first picking up wickets at regular intervals.
Fahad Nawaz was the pick of the bowlers claiming three wickets in his four overs conceding only ten runs.

Osama Hasan took two wickets during his three-over spell but leaked only five runs including a maiden and Ali Mirza bagged two wickets in the eight balls he bowled.

Only two G Force batsmen – Marlon Malcom (12) and Muhammad Shahdad (17) - managed to cross the double digit score as G Force were all out for a disappointing 68 in 18.2 overs.

In reply, YTCA were sailing in a similar boat when three of their top batsmen were back in the pavilion for just 10 runs.

Nawaz (16, 22b) and Sparsh Hegde (22, 27b) got the chase back on track adding 28 runs for the fourth wicket before Osama Hasan score a run-a-ball 13 not out to take YTCA past the target in the final over.

For G Force, Devansh Popley and Anirudh Murali took two wickets each.

Presenting the awards, SCC vice chairman Waleed Bukhatir, who was the chief guest, said: “This tournament is a good opportunity for youngsters to showcase their skills. Such consistent performances will help them get into the Emirates Cricket Board team in the future.”

He also announced the commencement of the SCC Inter Academy U-16 tournament from first week of February where 16 teams are expected to participate.

Brief scores: Young Talent CA bt G Force CA by four wickets. G Force CA: 68 all out in 18.2 overs (Marlon Malcom 12, Muhammad Shahdad 17; Fahad Nawaz 3 for 10, Osama Hasan 2 for 5, Ali Mirza 2 for 2). YTCA: 72 for 6 in 19.1 overs (Fahad Nawaz 16, Sparsh Hegde 22, Osama Hasan 13 not out; Devansh Popley 2 for 11, Anirudh Murali 2 for 12). Man of the Match: Fahad Nawaz of YTCA.

Umpires: Arshad Ansari and Fida Abbas. Scorer: Muhammad Asif.

Other awards: Best Batsman: Muhammad Shahdad of G Force CA; Best Bowler: Yash Goradia of G Force CA; Player of the Tournament: Jonathan Fiji of MCC Zayed CA.

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