By A.A. Merchant
JEDDAH — Hyderabad Sharks lifted the Bonny Super League T20 Cup crushing Pepsi Deccan Knights in the final by 9 wickets. Bonny Super League T20, sponsored by Bonny and organized by Jeddah Cricket Association, was played by 10 participating teams on round robin league basis, with top 4 teams playing knockout.
Hyderabad Sharks won the toss and invited Pepsi Deccan Knight to bat. Opener Kashif went early, but Waqas Sr and Waqas Jr consolidated the innings, not allowing bowlers to dominate as they picked ones and twos and occasional boundaries to put on 36 runs for the second wicket. Sarfaraz got the break-through and at the end of power play score read 51 for 3 in 6 overs. Athar (28) and Bilal (30) added 64 runs. Usman (22) and Mazhar (22), put on 44 runs in quick time, before Pepsi Deccan Knights ended up at 189 for 7 in their 20 overs. Sarfaraz was the bowler who contained the batsman and dented their hopes of a big score taking 3 for 29.
In reply, Hyderabad Sharks openers Shezad and Yasir started cautiously for a couple of overs before they went on the rampage and took advantage of power play restrictions. Shehzad played a cameo, scoring 36 in 15 balls aided with 6 fours and a 6 before Ishaq scalped the prized wicket caught by Wajid. At end of power play the score was 58 for 1 in 6 overs. Shehroze and Yasir scored at will with boundaries and they launched their fusillade immediately with their breath-taking stroke play. Shehroze being the dominating partner as he flogged the bowlers with scintillating shots all around to reach his half-century and Yasir soon followed his partner in completing his half-century as well. These two put on 135-run partnership for the unfinished second wicket with Yasir playing sheet anchor role scoring 61 not out in 46 balls with 5 fours and 3 sixes, while Shehroze dominated scoring an unbeaten 79 off 44 balls, aided with 3 fours and 5 sixes. They led Hyderabad Sharks to 193 for 1 in 18.2 overs for a well-deserved win by 9 wickets.
After the match, prize distribution ceremony was held. President Aijaz Ahmed Khan thanked Bonny management in general and chief guest Sharib Zameer Regional Manager, Brands KSA, in particular, for their support to JCA. Chairman Dr. Faiz Al-Abideen highlighted JCA’s organizational capabilities in successfully organizing such tournaments year after year, thanked the Bonny management, congratulated the winner and runner-up teams and the outstanding work of the executive committee members, umpires, scorers, logistic staff and event management team under the astute leadership of Ahmed bin Mahfooz.
Sharib Zameer thanked JCA for giving Bonny the opportunity to sponsor the inaugural Bonny Super League and appreciated the arrangements done by JCA. He reiterated that this was not the first or the last sponsorship by Bonny as they will continue to team up with JCA for a long term partnership on regular basis.
Sharib then presented trophies and awards to outstanding performers. The following Special prizes were also presented: Best Batsman — Saddam of Hyderabad Sharks (502 runs); Best Bowler — Hamza of Hyderabad Sharks (19 wickets); Best All-rounder — Omer Awan of Saudi German Hospital (316 runs and 16 wickets); Man of Final — Shehroze 79 not out; Game Changer — Sarfaraz of Hyderabad Sharks (3 for 38); Umpires — Zainul Huda, Ashraf Ranjha, Tauseef Gujjar and Zahid Khan; Service Awards — Ahmed Sherazi and Wasif.
