BAYAN STRIKERS LED BY SIOBHAN GOMEZ CLINCH THE COVETED TROPHY AS SHARQ NIRVANA LED BY AMNA SHARIF FINISH THEIR CAMPAIGN AS RUNNERS UP
MORE THAN 100 GIRLS PARTICIPATED SPREAD ACROSS AS MANY AS 8 TEAMS - A NEW MILESTONE IN WOMENS CRICKET DEVELOPMENT
DOZENS OF FAMILIES WITH THEIR CHILDREN FLOCKED TO THE SULAIBIYA CRICKKET GROUND ON 29TH OF JANUARY TO CREATE AN UNBELIEVABLE ATMOSPHERE FOR THE GIRLS OF ALL AGES THAT’S NEVER BEEN EXPERIENCED IN THE HISTORY OF KUWAIT CRICKET BEFORE
Kuwait Cricket Club, the sole official governing body for the game of cricket in Kuwait under the umbrella of Public Authority of Sport and Kuwait Olympic Committee in association with the international cricket council organized a pathbreaking women’s softball championship as part of it’s development prorgram for women’s cricket in Kuwait.
The softball championship was a one day (T-10) knock out affair professionally managed and executed to precision by the Women’s Cricket Committee headed by Husnain Arshad and women’s development coach Tariq Rasool Shah along with women’s national coach Ghayour Ahmed.
Following teams participated:
*Riggae Riders led by Priyada Murali
Bayan Strikers led by Siobhan Gomez
Hawally Hurricanes led by Khadija Khalil
Nirvana Sharq led by Amna Sharif
Fahaheel Avengers led by Zeefa Azeem
Salmiya Thunders led by Surita Venter
Khairan Sumarais led by Mariam Hyder
TEF Kuwait led by Selvi
Round 1:
Game 1: Fahaheel Avengers (Zeefa Azeem) vs Hawally Hurricane’s (Khadija Khalil)
The day started off with The Avengers winning the toss and deciding to bowl first. After a couple of quick wickets taken by the Avengers, Khadija stepped up and played a wonderful captain’s innings of 31 runs supported by Gloria with 13 runs to put up a target of 69 runs in 10 overs. Captain Zeefa ended her bowling for the Avengers on 2 overs, 1 wicket for 8 runs supported by Aaliya with 2 overs, 1 wicket for 9 runs. The Avengers took the field and although Bashayer played a well-deserved innings of 13 runs in 17 balls, the bowling of the Hurricane’s was too much for them and the match was won by the Hurricane’s in 10 overs, restricting the Avengers to just 45 runs, winning the match by 23 runs. PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Khadija Khalil with 31 runs in 21 balls.
Game 2: Khairan Samurais (Mariyam Hyder) vs Sharq Nirvana (Amna)
The second game started with Khairan Samurais winning the toss and elected to bowl first. Sharq Nivanan started by sending Maryam and Raelyn in to bat first. After a quick wicket, Maryam stood her ground and scored 30 runs from 31 balls and with the support of her captain Amna Tariq (19 runs of 15 balls) they managed to put up a brilliant score of 74 in 10 overs. Preema, Joolsy and Joselyn took the wickets for the Samurais. Khairan Samurais stepped in the bat and although the target seemed so high, they managed to put up a tremendous fight. With a fantastic effort by Joolsy (21 runs from 24 balls), Preema (11 runs from 19 balls) and Mariyam Hyder (13 runs from 12 balls) the game became a nail biter, but in the end it was the bowling of Raelyn (2 overs, 1 wicket for 8 runs) and the support of Mofida (2 overs, 1 wicket for 15 runs) that got Sharq Nirvana over the line, winning the match by only 4 runs. PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Maryam Ashraf with 30 runs in 31 balls.
Game 3: Bayan Strikers (Sioban Gomez) vs TEF-Kuwait Mangaf Megastars (Selvi)
The third match was a battle of great sportsmanship and character. Bayan Strikers won the toss and elected to bowl first. Shanthi scored a brilliant 36 runs from 29 balls and helping her team to get a total of 60 runs on the bord in their 10 overs with Queene shining in the bowling for the Strikers with 2 overs, 1 wicket for 11 runs. Bayan Strikers went in to bat with great confidence and with a great opening partnership with Glenda scoring 32 runs from 18 balls and captain Siobhan scoring 22 runs from 14 balls, Bayan strikers finished the game in 6 overs. With a sea of boundaries by Glenda, showing her power and skill, the Bayan Strikers won the match by 8 wickets, showing that they are the team to beat. PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Glenda with 32 runs in 18 balls.
Game 4: Riggae Riders (Priyada Murali) vs Salmiya Thunders (Surita)
Game 4 started with Salmiya Thunders winning the toss and elected to bowl first. Although there was tight bowling from Salmiya Thunders with captain Surita bowling 2 overs for only 6 runs and Rosita bowling 2 overs for only 10 runs, the Riggae Riders had Maria at the wicket, standing strong and scoring 24 runs from 24 balls supported by Lavina scoring 14 runs from 26 balls. The weather played a big role in constricting the boundaries, but with brilliant placement and outstanding running between the wickets, Riggae Riders put up 64 runs. Salmiya Thunders went in with a great fighting spirit with captain Surita (13 runs) and Eliza (9 runs) chasing the score and although it came right down to the last ball, it was the unbelievable bowling and fielding of Maria (2 overs, 1 wicket for 6 runs and a fantastic catch in the field) that pulled the Riggae Riders over the finish line, winning by 7 runs. PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Maria Jasvi with 24 runs scored, 1 wicket in 2 overs for only 6 runs and a brilliant catch.
Round 2: (Semi-finals)
Game 1: Hawally Hurricane’s (Khadija Khalil) vs Sharq Nirvana (Amna)
The first semi-final had all the supporters on their feet as Hawally Hurricane’s won the toss and elected the bat first. Captain Khadija played a spectacular innings in spite of the weather and got 21 runs from 18 balls. With great support of Madeeha (11 runs from 14 balls) they managed to put up a score of 55 runs. Brilliant bowling from Mofida (2 overs, 2 wickets for 7 runs) gave Sharq Nirvana plenty of confidence to chase down the score. With great teamwork from Nirvana in batting and a great chase from Mofida (14 runs from 8 balls) at the end, Nirvana ran across the finish line in 9.1 overs, winning the match by 7 wickets. PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Mofida with 14 runs scored and 2 overs, 2 wickets from 7 runs.
Game 2: Bayan Strikers (Sioban Gomez) vs Riggae Riders (Priyada Murali)
Semi-final 2 was bound to be an exciting one as Bayan Strikers won the toss and elected to bowl first. Captain Priyada (30 runs of 28 balls) and Maria (22 runs of 23 balls) stepped in for a wonderful partnership fighting against strong winds. The bowling of Bayan Strikers came through and restricted the Riders 65 runs of 10 overs. Bayan Strikers send their batters in with self-confidence and with the spectacular support batting of captain Shioban, the Strikers clinched the game winning by 8 wickets in the 10th over. PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Shioban with 14 runs, 1 wicket and a tremendous effort in the field.
Round 3: (Final)
Game 1: Sharq Nirvana (Amna) vs Bayan Strikers (Sioban Gomez)
The final kicked off with captain Amna winning the toss and electing to bowl first. Bayan Strikers send in their big strikers to face the experience bowlers of Sharq Nirvana. Although the bowlers of Nirvana gave their best, the batters stepped up to the plate to provide the crowd with a sea of boundaries. Glenda took the reins and became the only player to score a 50. She ended up with 64 and was supported well by Precilla who scored 32. The Strikers made a record breaking score of 134 in their 10 overs. Sharq Nirvana stepped to the plate and made a valiant effort in chasing the score Mariyam Ashraf fighting with everything she had. She scored 35 runs in her innings. Sharq Nirvana showed great commitment, but only managed to score a total of 85 runs, which gave Bayan Strikers a win by 49 runs. PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Glenda with 64 runs.
The grand presentation ceremony was concluded in emphatic style with party poppers, certificates of participation, medals and trophies for all the winners and runners up as well as player/woman of all the matches including the finals.
The presentation ceremony was attended by KC Board Member Ms Awadtif Al Qallaf, Director General Mr. Sajid Ashraf and the managing director of KSCSC (official cleaning services partner of KC) Mr. Asad Khan along with respective KC officials and members - Mr. Naveen Jayan, Mr. Robert Dsouza, Mr.Husnain Arshad, Mr. Qais Parkar, Mr. Ghayour Ahmed, Mr. Tariq Shah and Mr. Tahir Khan.
Director General Mr. Sajid Ashraf whilst addressing all the participants appreciated the hard work and efforts of the entire KC Women’s department and all tbe captains of the 8 teams who worked extremely hard in making the tournament a massive success and this would not have been possible without the support of all the parents and families involved as they allowed their girls (daughters, sisters, wife etc) to come forward and express themselves through the sport of cricket and break the barriers like never before.
Kuwait Cricket will now move on to form two respective squads for the women’s - one for development and one for national probables as the Kuwait women’s team gets geared up for ICC World Cup Qualifiers and ACC Asia Cup Qualifiers scheduled to take place in Q3 / Q4.
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PC - Eye photography and Editing
Part 3
