Dubai: Last-ball Win for Al Jaber in Sprite Labour Cricket Final
Media Release
Dubai, Sep 21: In an exciting final, title aspirants Al Jaber came from behind to snatch a thrilling last-ball win against Arabtech in the finals of the Sprite Labour Cricket final played at the Dubai Cricket Stadium.
Batting first after defeating Dutco in the semi-finals by 6 wickets, Arabtec posted a solid total of 127 runs in their allotted 10 overs for the loss of 9 wickets. In reply, Al Jaber who beat Dulsco in the semi-finals by 6 wickets struggled to score against tight Arabtec bowling.
However, just when the match was going in favour of Arabtec Al Jaber’s late order batsmen threw caution to the winds and started hammering runs in a ‘now or never’ fashion. What transpired was some rank bad nervous bowling by Arabtec and in the last over Al Jaber needed 8 runs in 6 balls. With the crowd roaring in excitement, Al Jaber were in hot waters with 2 runs to win off the last ball to win the cup which they did by scrambling for those runs desperately. Arabtec let off from a winning position and allowed Al Jaber to come back and post a sensational victory.
Quite fittingly, in the end, Al Jaber who showed superior class among all the eight competing teams lifted the stylish trophy to loud cheers from the hundreds of supporters who had traveled from Abu Dhabi for the finals.
Arabtec surely surprised everyone by reaching the finals and almost taking the cup home.
A fantastic tournament where the labour force of UAE got a taste of high class cricket with Sprite providing the players with colourful playing kit and an international cricket stadium to excel their skills. 8 Teams were formed with the help of cricket specialists in the UAE from among the camps and thereafter the players were trained regularly to prepare them into a fighting team.
There were splendid performances from many players who were getting a great chance to play their favourite game in a well organized competition. The cricket operations of the entire camps and the tournament including team selections were handled by veteran events manager Denzil Fernandes. Denzil also selected the 8 coaches who were responsible to look after the teams till the end of the tournament. “It was an unusual experience to see the spirt and enthusiasm of the cricketers from the camps” said Denzil Fernandes. Special playing facilities were arranged at all the camps.
ETA Ascon, Al Futtaim, Al Naboodah, Al Habtoor, Dulsco, Dutco, Arabtec and Al Jaber teams took part in the tournament. The winning team were given flight tickets and a trophy with medals for the players. The marketing and promotional activity was handled by AM Plus FZ LLC for Sprite.
The kit supplied to the teams included a bat for every single player, uniforms and bags for all the players selected for all the 8 camp teams.
All in all, it was a gratifying objective on the part of Sprite to introduce the spirit of cricket in the labour camps and give them a feel of participation while expecting to take home a winner’s medal.
Teams (in the order they finished): 1. Al Jaber Blazers (Winners), 2. Arabtec Cutters (Runners Up) 3. Dulsco Blasters (Semi Finalist) 4. Dutco Dominators (Semi Finalist) 5. Futtaim Flyers 6. Eta Hotshots 7. Naboodah Bouncers 8. Al Habtoor Yorkers