Dnata CC beat Sewa, clinch RPL title

SHARJAH: Dnata CC defeated Sewa by eight wickets in a rain-interrupted final of the fourth edition of the Rashid Alleem Premier League at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Batting first, Sewa posted 109 for the loss of six wickets in 15 overs.

Their in-form batsman Babar Ghazanfar gave them a perfect start. He scored 74 runs off 45 balls studded with four boundaries and five sixes.

Ghazanfar was well supported by Hazrat Nabi, who hit quick-fire 17 of seven balls.

Later, none of their batsmen reached the double-digit figure and Sewa innings were ended at 109 runs.

Dnata CC’s Krishnachandran K claimed three two wickets. In reply, Dnata CC overhauled the target in 11.3 overs.

They lost two wickets early when Abdul Mateen was removed by Riaz Khaliq Kaku and Bilal Cheema was sent back to the pavilion Yaser Bajwa. Mohammed Iqbal and Krishnachandran K remained unbeaten out to take their team home.

Iqbal smashed 74 off 46 balls and Krishnachandran hit 23 of 16 balls.

Iqbal’s knock was studded with six boundaries and four towering sixes. Sewa tried four different bowlers to get the much-needed breakthrough and manage a comeback into the game but all of them failed to break the partnership. Dnata CC’s Iqbal was named man of the match.

Earlier in the semi-finals, Sewa defeated SIB Orange by 10 runs in a thriller while Iqbal’s unbeaten knock of 75 helped Dnata CC defeated Geco IPL by eight wickets.

The final brought down the curtains on one-month long non- stop action which started on Feb.15.

Over 750 players and 48 teams took part in the fourth edition of the UAE’s biggest corporate cricket extravaganza.

100 matches were played during the event which were held at the three venues, including Ajman Oval, Hamriya Cricket ground and the Sharjah Stadium.

The tournament was part of Dr Alleem Research and Development Centre’s programme to promote a healthy lifestyle in the UAE.

Dr Rashid Alleem, Chairman of Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa) and Head of Alleem Knowledge Centre, launched RPL in 2016 with just eight teams on board, with the next edition doubling participation to 16 teams.

The tournament has seen rapid rise in the terms of participation. Even teams from India and Pakistan competed in the RPL’s different editions.

The RPL falls in line with the vision of spreading positive energy and healthy environment in the society. Dr Alleem launched the Alleem Research and Development Centre in 2015.