Media Release
Ajman, Apr 20: Unique Strikers Bhatkal emerged victorious beating Wels Prince XI Manipal with a comprehensive 39-run win on Thursday April 14 in the finals of the first edition of Globelink West Star Shipping LLC Mangaluru Premier League (MPL) at the Ajman Oval Ground Stadium, UAE.
Unique Strikers, Bhatkal skipper Vikrant Shetty won the toss and elected to bat first in perfect batting conditions. Unique Strikers Bhatkal relied on brilliant innings by opener Isthiaq Hussain (62, 50 b, 6X4) and Ubadah Barmawar (23) to post a fighting 152/7 in the allotted 20 overs. Disciplined bowling from Rizwan (4-16-1), Mohammad Shafi (4-22-0) and Mohammad Harris (4-42-2) pegged the Strikers from running away to a big total.
Chasing the challenging target set by Unique Strikers, Prince XI started steadily through the 61 runs second wicket partnership between Abhishek Kanchan (52 in 51 balls) and Farhan Beary (18 in 21 balls). A strategic move by Unique Strikers to get back their strike bowler Nelson Pinto yielded results immediately as he broke the partnership by getting the wicket for Farhan Beary. Jayesh Suvarna (11 in 16 balls) continued to support Abhishek and the duo put 33 runs partnership for the 3rd wicket however the deadly spell from captain Vikrant Shetty (3.2-13-4) and Neville Pereira 1-19-4) triggered a mini collapse as Prince XI wound up for 113 on 18.2 overs giving Unique Strikers Bhatkal a well-deserved victory for their all-round performance. Neville Pereira was awarded the Man of the Finals for his all-round performance.
Vikrant Shetty and UAE international and World Cup T20 member of UAE team bagged the Man of the Series for his all-round performance. He commented that it was a sweet revenge on Prince XI who got the better of Unique Strikers in the league stages. He dedicated this victory and his award to the team. Having failed with the bat in the finals, the team delivered their all-round performance of batting, bowling and fielding. Oswin Savio Robert Crasta of Al Sitara Gulf Karkala and Safwan Shanu of ANIB XI on Top Mysore Royals were awarded the Best Bowler and Best Batsman Respectively.
Abdul Sattar and Taha, owners of Unique Striker’s Bhatkal were ecstatic following the twin victories in Bhatkal Premier League and Mangaluru Premier League. They dedicated the victory to the awesome team and team management in Raj Anand (manager), Prashanth Braggs (icon player) and Masood Mohammad (technical manager). In true spirit of sportsmanship, both the teams danced to the tune of DJ Bravo’s Champions song to conclude the prize distributions. Sumptuous food was served by the tournament organizers to all who were present at the finals bringing the curtains down to the month-long successful event.
Prize distribution ceremony was conducted in the presence of MPL management (Waseem K M, Akshay Kadalilae and Fatima Pinto) and all the team owners. The prizes were distributed as follows:
Winners: Unique Strikers Bhatkal
Runners: Wels Prince XI Manipal
Man of the Series: Vikrant Shetty of Unique Strikers, Bhatkal
Best bowler: Oswin Savio Robert Crasto of Al Sitara Gulf, Karkala
Best batsman: Safwan Shanu of ANIB XI on Top Mysore Royals
Man of the finals: Neville Pereira of Unique Strikers, Bhatkal.
Final score:
Unique Strikers Bhatkal: 152 for 7 in 20 overs
Ishthiaq Hussain (62 in 50 balls), Ubada Baramwar (23 in 25 balls), Prashanth Braggs (20 in 20 balls), Santosh Kotian (19 in 11 balls). Mohd Harris (4-0-42-2), Avinash Rao (4-0-22-1), Rizwan Ahamed (4-0-16-1)
Wels Prince XI Manipal: 113 all out in 18.2 overs.
Abhishek Kanchan (52 in 51 balls), Farhan Beary (18 in 21 balls), Jayesh Suvarna (11 in 16 balls). Nelson Pinto (3-0-19-1), Ubadha Baramwar (3-0-24-1), Vikrant Shetty (3.2-0-13-4), Neville Pereira (4-0-19-4)
Raffle draws were conducted for the large crowd who stayed to witness the finals. The winners were:
Food Processor: Shahnaz Altaf Hussain Musba
Mixer: Syed Afzan Hussaina
MB Cricket Bat: Altaf Hussain Pathan
MB Cricket Bat: Farhan Beary.