Friday, Feb 24, 2012

Gulf News

Dubai Kannur Veerans will take on Trotters-Wayanad in the final of Capital Kerala Premier League today. Through brilliant all-round performances from the UAE’s Amjad Javed and Arshad Ali, Kannur Veerans defeated Yogi Group Thrissur in the second semi-final held at the International Cricket Council Global Cricket Academy.

In the first semi-final, Wayanad had stunned Consolidated Shipping Services (CSS) Alleppey Ripples by five wickets. The stage is now set for the final of the richest domestic cricket tournament. Prize money of Dh60,000 awaits the winner while runner up will win Dh30,000.

No one expected the strong Thrissur batting line up to be bowled out for just 118 runs. The chief destroyers were UAE bowlers Arshad Ali, who bagged three wickets for 18 runs backed by Amjad Javed, UAE team skipper Khurram Khan and Irfan Haider with two wickets each.

Inspired

Javed then went on to hit an unbeaten 57 off just 49 balls with seven boundaries and a six with Arshad Ali hitting 26 runs and Saqib Ali cracking an unbeaten 24.

Speaking to Gulf News after receiving the man of the match, Javed said: “It was important that I used my experience to play a responsible knock till we reached the target. The presence of all my UAE national teammates including my skipper Khurram Khan, Arshad Ali and Saqib Ali inspired me to give my best with the ball and bat. We have a good chance to win the final too as we had beaten Wayanad in the league match. With almost the whole UAE national team with us we can surely emerge the winners.”

Arshad Ali once again produced his skidding deliveries to pick Thrissur wickets repeatedly. “I knew that if we could take the wickets of their hard hitters it will be easy for us. So among those I dismissed are Shaimon Anwar and others followed. It was a nice to give a good start with the bat too,” said Ali.

The organisers have made arrangement for a grand final. Indian Test star Shantakumaran Sreesanth with event ambassadors Suresh Gopi and actress Bhamaa will attend the final.

Anand Kumar, the Director of the IPL said: “We have decided to make it a memorable final with various entertainment activities from 4pm though the final will commence only from 5.30pm. The best of cheer leaders from various nationalities will entertain the spectators.”

By K.R. Nayar?Chief Cricket Writer

Gulf News 2012. All rights reserved.