Riyadh: Seven Stars Mulky Win ‘JF-T12 Cricket 2010 Cup’

by P A Hameed (With inputs from Nazir Ahmed, Riyadh)
Daijiworld Media Network—Riyadh (CN)

Riyadh, Jun 21: Seven Stars Mulky triumphed at the prestigious ‘JF-T12 Cricket 2010 Cup’ against Eagle Friends by 5 wickets in a fabulous cricket playoff, organized by Jammiyyathul Falah (JF) Riyadh, a socio-educational organization in Saudi Arabia as well as back home. 

The tournament was held at Yarmuk Area, near MVPI, Riyadh, recently. Thirty-two cricket teams from India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka participated in the tournament. The matches were held every Friday morning during a period of three weeks. The teams were divided into 8 groups and the first round matches were played on a league basis.

Seven Star Mulky and Eagle Friends Padubidri had qualified for the final playoff. Both being Mangalorean teams with their strong track record of excellent performance, the match was really breathtaking and exotic. 

Eagle Friends won the toss and elected to bat first. They scored 50 runs in first 5 overs for the loss of 2 wickets. Seven Stars’ bowlers tried their best to restrict the run rate of Eagle Friends, but still they put up a respectable total of 124 for the loss of 7 wickets in the allotted 12 overs. For Seven Stars, Hyder and Dawood took 2 wickets each.

Chasing the target, Seven Star started aggressively scoring 12 runs in the very first over. But Eagle Friends’ bowlers fought back and Seven Stars needed 36 runs in the last 3 overs. Hyder scored two sixes to give Seven Stars a 5 wicket victory with 1 ball to spare.

Hyder of Seven Stars was declared ‘Man of the Match’. The following players and teams received glittering trophies from JF for their outstanding performances:

Mansoor of Eagle Friends (Player of the Tournament), Riyaz of Seven Star Mulky (Best Batsman), Hyder of Seven Star Mulky (Best Bowler), Sea Hawks (Best Disciplined Team), 67 ‘Man of the Match’ trophies awarded for all the players who performed well throughout the tournament, 2nd runners-up (Malik XI), 1st runners-up (Eagle Friends), and winner of the tournament (Seven Star).

The umpires who officiated the tourney were chiefly Bhaskar and Harry along with Ronny, Shiraz, Rafiq, and Sirajuddin. The whole tournament was managed by Br Ayaz and his enthusiastic team, who continuously co-ordinated with all the participating teams and organizing committee to make this tournament a success.

‘Stop Coffee Shop’ served breakfast and tea on the final day for all the teams and spectators. Several other individual backers also contributed to make the event a grand success.

Soon after the completion of the final match, the prize distribution ceremony was hosted by Br Akhtar Sheikh, vice-president, JF Riyadh. In addition to the JF committee members, other eminent personalities who came as guests to witness the final match were Ramesh Shetty, marketing manager, OTE, Riyadh, Abdul Gafoor, Stop Coffee Shop, Usman Kunjathur, Oscar Kenneth, Younus of Wallan, and Abdul Azeez, Captain Bankal Sports Club. 

Jamiyyatul Falah, Riyadh, has been actively organizing various activities like cricket tournaments, get-togethers, parenting and career guidance programmes through which they are not only trying to educate and entertain the audience but also bringing the people of Mangalore and other regions together.