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Tribune News Network
DOHA
Akash Babu smashed a brilliant half-century off just 34 balls to set up a six-wicket victory for Tuskers Club against Warriors Club in the final of the QNB-ISC Twenty20 Cricket Tournament at the Asian Town Cricket Stadium.
The event was hosted for only the Indian teams by Indian Sports Centre under the Embassy of India in Qatar.
Chasing a challenging 154-run target, opener Babu led an assault on the Warrior bowlers. He took 34 deliveries and blasted four sixes to finish with 53. D Vishwambaram, who got 33 off 35 balls with four boundaries, collected 86 runs for the second wicket after an early setback.
Then Aneesh hit an unbeaten 30 with two fours in 29 balls to carry on the momentum and Tuskers duly sealed the win in 18.5 overs with six wickets intact.
Earlier, Warriors Club, after electing to bat first, made 153 for six in 20 overs. Opener Zaheeruddin cracked 48 in 39 balls with four boundaries and helped M Suhel (12) get 25 runs in three overs for the opening wicket. Then they lost the wickets regularly but Ibrahim Asif and Kushal Kumar ensured they went beyond the 150-mark.
Asif hit two sixes and a four in his 29-ball 36 and Kumar's 19 not out came off 18 balls. Anoop and Mudassir shared four wickets.
Akash Babu was declared the Man of the Final. Mohammed Naseem and Riyaz Kurpkar officiated as the umpires in the final.
His Excellency P Kumaran, the Indian Ambassador to Qatar, was the chief guest at the colourful closing ceremony and gave away the prizes. He also handed the trophy and a cash prize of QR7,000 to winning captain Aneesh Kakkot. QCA Operations Manager Ahmed and QCA Head of Domestic Cricket Gul Khan presented the runners-up trophy and QR 5,000 to Warriors captain Kushal Kumar.
Kumaran also presented a token of appreciation to QCA officials Manzoor Ahmed, Gul Mohammed Khan, Hassan Raza. ISC Sub-Committee members Gopal Balasubramaniam and Yunus Thakur were also honoured for their contribution to the success of the event, attended by over 2,000 fans.
Qatar National Bank officials.Yusuf Fakhro and Abdulla Mohammed Arbabi were also present on the occasion as guests of honour.
Azim Abbas, Chairman Patron Committee, welcomed the ambassador Kumaran, dignitaries, players and spectators. He thanked ISC, MC and sub-committee for their support. He proposed a vote of thanks to the Indian ambassador, QCA President, QNB, Air India and all other sponsors.
Azim Abbas presented a ISC token of Appreciation to the ambassador along with Bukhari, Chairman Corporate, KM Vargese, President IBPC, Mohd Habibun Nabi, ISC General-Secretary, Ravi Shankar, ISC Treasurer, Shivani, ISC MC, Sub-committee Deepak Shetty, Murthy, Syed Ali and Sreelesh Das.
The organisers held a raffle draw for fans and gave away many attractive gifts. Veena Negi, Manager, Air India Express Qatar, handed over a return air ticket to any destination in India. Gold ring by Marhaba Jewellery and VIP bags and cell phones were also gifted to spectators.
Brief scores
Tuskers Club beat Warriors Club by six wickets
Warriors Club: 153 for six in 20 overs (I Zaheeruddin 48, Ibrahim Asif 36, Kushal Kumar 19 not out, Sandeep Kottary 18 not out, Anoop 2/34, Muddassir 2/19, Aneesh 1/31, Prashanth Rajan 1/8)
Tuskers Club: 154 for four in 18.5 overs (Akash Babu 53, D Vishwambaram 33, Aneesh 30 not out, Sandeep Kottary 1/18, Kushal Kumar 1/29, Aamir Parkar 1/31)
Special awards
Man of the Final: Akash Babu (Tuskers Club)
Best Batsman: Akash Babu (Tuskers Club)
Best Bowler: Mudassir (Tuskers Club)
Best All-Rounder Award: I Zaheeruddin (Warriors Club)
