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Lloyds are Super Sixes Champs

Lloyds TSB emerged champions of Dubai Super Sixes after beating Seven Seas Strikers by one wicket in the pulsating final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

After winning the toss Seven Seas elected to bat but failed to sparkle under the lights of one of the most modern stadiums.

Seven Seas batsmen who punished Fly Emirates bowling in a thrilling semifinal earlier failed to negotiate the accurate bowling by young Lloyds quickies.

They kept on losing wickets and slumped to 15-4 in four overs.

Now Mohammed Atiq was at the crease with his skipper, man in mid 60s, Freddy Sidhwa.

Atiq played first ball of the fifth and final over and Sidhwa wanted a single.

He refused and the youngster was right in doing so. He clubbed next five balls for 22 runs to lend a tinge of respectability to the paltry score.

Seven Seas set a target of 37 and it looked as the final will turn out to be a one-sided affair.

Lloyds, one of the top teams of the Division B in UAE, started the chase in a confident manner.

They were cruising along comfortably but Seven Seas made a comeback in the match with better field placing and improved bowling. There was panic in Lloyd’s camp as they lost four wickets.

But Vinod Kambli had different plans and played like a true legend. His deft placing and measured boundaries against Venkatesh Prasad were a treat to watch.

Kambli gathered two runs on the second last ball of the tournament to win the first-ever Super Sixes title for Lloyds.

Arshad Zaheer, Managing Director of Crayons Communications, said: “This was a fantastic finale capping the months of hard work that went into bringing the Super Sixes tournament to this cricket-loving region.

“There was plenty of edge-of-the-seat excitement and world-class cricket to engage the spectators and inspire us to make the format larger next year.”

Kambli said: “It was a fantastic experience and I really enjoyed this fun game.

“It was a pleasure to play with youngsters and above all victory is very sweet.

“A number of legends were here and it was a good family gathering. It was a well organised event.

“I am going to make a comeback and play for Mumabi Indians in next IPL.”

Prashanth Braggs, captain of Lloyds TSB said: “The victory was a team effort. Seven Seas failed to put up a big total but the match went to the wire.

“We saved many runs through good fielding and our catching was also good. Vinod Kambli’s experience came to our rescue in the end.

“He played a gem of an innings and scored runs against the accurate bowling off Prasad.”

Captain of Seven Seas Freddy Sidhwa was an exception at the ground. He defies age as he runs like teenagers during the fielding and always tries turn singles into twos and twos into threes. After the match Sidhwa said: “It turned out to be a good game. After beating Emirates in the semifinal we were hoping to repeat the performance in the final.

“We failed to put on a challenging total on the board but made a great comeback and almost won the final.

“The match went to the last ball and had it been a little 10 more runs, we would have won the tie.

“We have no regrets because we put up a great fight. After all cricket is a funny game, the score was so low and yet we fought well. It is as good as winning.

“Normally, I bowl the first over and today I did not bowl. It may have made a difference.

“Venkatesh Prasad tried his best and it was a dream come true to play alongside him.”

Most Sixes: Prashanth Braggs of Lloyds TSB (12 sixes)

Best Batsman: Prashanth Braggs – Lloyds TSB

Best Player: Prashanth Braggs – Lloyds TSB

Best Bowler: Qamar – Phoenix Medicines

Man of the final: Devendra – Lloyds TSB. Best Fielder: Fahad

liaqat@khaleejtimes.com