Warriors Club players and QCA officials pose for a group photo after the final. Pic: Abdul Basit
Doha: Warriors Club displayed a dominating performance and defended the Qatar Airways Cricket Tournament crown, routing Asian Club by 154 runs at the Asian Town Stadium.
Imal Liyanage of the champion team was adjudged the Player of the Match for his glorious 106.
Qatar Airways is proud to be the official sponsor of the annual cricket tournament. As the country’s national carrier, Qatar Airways continues to play a vital role in enhancing the already flourishing sports activity in Qatar and is a keen supporter for developing the next generation of cricket players in the country.
Qatar Cricket Association (QCA) Board Members chief Guest Khalid Saleh Al Rumaihi, Issa Ali Ghanem and Abdulla Al Meer handed over the prizes.
Warriors Club, who had signed up seven Qatar national T20 team players for the new season, posted 272 for nine in 50 overs after being asked to bat first.
Liyanage was involved in two big stands which consolidated his team’s position.
Liyanage smashed four sixes and five boundaries in his 95-ball 106 and joined hands with Adnan to get 78 runs for the second wicket after Kamran Khan was dismissed at 46. Adnan cracked one six and nine fours in his racy 77 in 93 deliveries.
Then the third wicket alliance, featuring Liyanage and Imraz Rafi, realised 124 runs. Rafi hit a six in 36 runs. Mirza ended the partnership bowling Rafi to trigger a collapse and Warriors Club were restricted by Mirza (four for 36) and Muhammad Tanveer, who grabbed seven wickets between them. Asian Club, whose earlier two losses included a defeat to Warriors Club during the league stage, appeared to be in strong form when they successfully chased a huge 336-run target against Tusker Club during the semi-finals.
However, the pressure of the final took its toll on them and Asian Club folded up at 117 in 34.3 overs.
Warriors Club skipper Assad Borham led the Asian Club downfall as he captured four scalps for just five runs in his 6.3 overs, including three maidens. Muhammad Murad Khan also picked three to pile pressure from the other end. Qatar national team captain Iqbal Hussain Chaudhry netted two 32.
Only Tanveer and Basit managed to survive the longest, getting 25 and 24, respectively. Basit hit four boundaries and Tanveer three.
Brief Scores
Warriors Club beat Asian Club by 154 runs
Warriors Club 272 for 9 in 50 overs
(Imal Liyanage 106 off 95, Adnan 77 of 93, Imraz Rafi 36 off 45; Mirza 4/36,
Muhammad Tanveer 3/59) Asian Club: 123 all out in 34.5 overs (Muhammad Tanveer 25, Basit 24 off 24; Assad Borham 4/5,
Muhammad Murad Khan 3/18, Iqbal Hussain Chaudhry 2/32)
Man of the match: Imal Liyanage (Warriors Club)
