The annual Indian Community Cricket Fiesta, a cricket match between the Ambassador’s XI and Community XI, was held on February 29 at the West End Park Cricket stadium, the only cricket ground in Qatar to host international cricket matches.
The Ambassador of India to Qatar, H E P Kumaran, was the chief guest of the event and Managing Director of Gulf Lights, A R Sanaullah, was the guest of honour and chief sponsor for the event.
Leading the Ambassador’s XI, H E P Kumaran elected to bat after winning the toss. After some spirited batting performance by the middle order, the Ambassador’s XI posted a competitive total in the allotted 15 overs.
Batting at number five, the Ambassador himself steadied the innings, after quick fall of first four wickets with only 38 runs on the scoreboard. His balanced innings ensured that no further wickets fell while the scoreboard kept ticking.
He was ably supported by Surinder Bhagat and Captain Kapil Kaushik and the trio ensured that at the end of 15 overs, the Ambassador’s XI posted a decent total of 99 runs. While Zohaib bowled extremely well and took three wickets, the captain of the Community XI, Sanaullah also impressed everyone with his tight spell.
With 100 runs to win in 15 overs, the Community XI started their innings well and put up 39 runs for the loss of one wicket in five overs with Faisal and Prajesh maintaining good pace and length. The Community XI received a boost when Adnan led the charge in the sixth over and hammered three towering sixes. Zohaib also played well and hit two huge sixes which helped the community XI to reach 74 runs after ten overs.
The Ambassador Captain Kapil Kaushik and Surinder Bhagat bowled some good overs, with measured slow pace and precise line and length, making the match very interesting in the slog overs. With seven runs to win in the last eight balls, Community XI reached the target with a towering six by Adnan and six balls to spare.
His Excellency, the Ambassador was adjudged as the best bowler, Adnan of Community XI was adjudged as the best batsman and Zohaib of Community XI was judged as the best all-rounder.
The Ambassador thanked ISC for organising the festival match and congratulated all players for putting up a spirited performance. He also thanked the Qatar Cricket Association for their unwavering support and help.
Habibun Nabi, General Secretary ISC, thanked QCA Umpires Shivani Mishra and Narendra Singh , commentators Jashmeer and scorer Kedar.
Apart from the office bearers of the Indian Sports Centre, other dignitaries present for the match included Manzoor, General Secretary Qatar Cricket Association, Hassan Raza, Technical Manager QCA, Shakeel, ground manager QCA and P N Babu Rajan, President ICBF.
Officiating President of ISC, Sharaf P Hameed, welcomed the gathering and E P Abdul Rehman, Vice-President, ISC presented the vote of thanks. Sanaullah, Managing Director Gulf Lights, thanked the Ambassador for taking out time from his busy schedule and leading the Ambassador’s team in the match.
The QCA General Secretary, Manzoor, noting the excellent relations between the Embassy of India and Qatar Cricket Association, also thanked the Ambassador for providing the necessary impetus and encouragement for all community sports events.
