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Stage set for Carpetland Ramadan T20 tourney

Within two months of the season coming to an end, the new season gets rolling in a couple of days. The Abu Dhabi Cricket Council (ADCC) will organise the Carpetland Ramadan Cup Twenty20 tournament at the Shaikh Zayed International Cricket Stadium from Friday.

The tournament has a new sponsor in Al Aqili Group’s Carpetland and there is an increase in prize money as well.

“The season ended in May but within two months we are hosting another event. The Ramadan tournament is a key cornerstone in the cricket calendar. We wanted a new alliance and the Al Aqili Group came forward to support the sport and the youth in the country,” Wajahat Husain, president of the Abu Dhabi Cricket Council said on Sunday.

Mohammed Saeed Al Aqili, vice chairman of Al Aqili Group said he hadn’t expected such a huge turnout for the announcement and the draw. “Frankly, I didn’t expect such a huge turnout. It shows the sports lovers that we have here. I wish I could play,” he said in a lighter vein.

“We want to hold your hand and march forward with the spirit of cricket during the Holy month of Ramadan. Sports is the foundation to build a healthy body and mind. I promise that we will keep supporting cricket. I’m surrounded by Indians and Pakistanis at my workplace and they keep debating about the sport. I hope that Emiratis take up the sport,” Mohammed Saeed Al Aqili said. Twenty team from all over the UAE have confirmed their participation in the tournament. They have been divided into four groups with five teams in each group. There will be two games every evening. The group matches will be played on a league basis and the top two teams from each group will qualify for the knockout stage. Altogether, 47 matches will be played.

The winners will be richer by Dh 20,000, while the runners-up will get Dh 12,000. There are various cash prizes for individual performances. The Man of the Final will get Dh 500, while the Man of the Match in the semifinals will get Dh 250. The Man of the Match in the quarterfinals will get Dh 150.

The Best Batsman of the Tournament will get Dh 1000, while the Best Bowler will get Dh 1000. The Man of the Tournament will get Dh 2000.

The tournament will be played under floodlights. Each team can have a squad of 18 players. Overseas players will be allowed to play without any restrictions. However, to qualify to play for the knockout stage, a player must have played at least one group game.

Teams:

Ibsons, Phoenix Medicine LLC, Yogi Group, Eurocon Alubond, William Hare Abu Dhabi Gymkhana, Seven Seas Strikers, UBL, NMC, Nissan Al Masaood, Pal CC, Daman Insurance, Brooke Bond Unilever, Hadiya XI, Muroor Stars, SKMC, Sahir Pacific Cricket, ESI Knight Riders, ESI Daredevils, Discount CC, ADFC.

Groupings:

Group A: Seven Seas Strikers, William Hare Abu Dhabi Gymkhana, Eurocon Alubond, SKMC,ESI Daredevils.

Group B: Phoenix Medicine LLC, ADFC, Yogi Group, Brooke Bond Unilever, ESI Knight Riders.

Group C: NMC, Ibsons, Pal CC, Daman Insurance, Hadiya XI.

Group D: Discount CC, UBL, Nissan Al Masaood, Sahir Pacific Cricket, Muroor Stars.

james@khaleejtimes.com