Kuwait Cricket

Former Asian Test and ODI stars caught the spirit

In commemoration to celebrate ICC centenary year, Kuwait Cricket availed the wonderful opportunity to play an all star exhibition match at Ahmadi, Hubara ground where many International stars of yesteryears participated. Thus Kuwait cricket, as part of its vision to support the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) centenary celebrations hosted the event with the great slogan “Catch the Spirit” to showcase the spirit of the game across the world.

Before the toss both the captains Asad Baig, Bandula Warnapura with KT Francis

The tournament is one of the ICC’s Catch the Spirit celebrations aimed at promoting the ICC’s centenary, the great spirit of cricket and the wide appeal and diversity of the game. Each of the ICC’s 104 Members is holding an event which captures the collective commitment and values which are central to the sport. The Catch the Spirit flag, the symbol of the ICC’s centenary year, was also present at the tournament, collecting signatures from the icons of the game.

Kuwait Cricket President’s XI

The two sides named after Kuwait Cricket President’s XI & Kuwait Cricket Chairman’s XI included several International players from the Asian region. Kuwait Cricket Chairman’s XI lead by Bandula Warnapura, the first captain of Sri Lankan test team and current ACC Development Manager, had the great Roy Dias the flamboyant Sri Lankan batsman Vinodhan John the fast bowler from Sri Lanka, and Indian off spinner Venketramanna. Naeem Ahmed the ex-Pakistan test leg spinner was another star to play for the team.

Kuwait Cricket Chairman’s XI

Kuwait Cricket President’s XI was led by none other than Asad Baig, the Director General of Kuwait Cricket and had former Pakistan Test and ODI stars to the likes of Iqbal Sikander and Mansoor Akthar. Diwakar Vasu the talented all rounder who had played Ranji trophy for Tamil Nadu and the current fast bowling coach at National Cricket academy at Bangalore were the stars of Kuwait Cricket President's team. Moreover, the team was gifted by the presence of Raqibul Hassan, the former captain of Bangladesh team.

Former Test Players Raqibul Hasan and Mansoor Akhtar going to open the inning for Presiden's XI

The Catch the Spirit flag , signing by Kaiser Shakir with Mehboob, Shriyar and baby cricketer Isra Shah

Winning the toss, KC President’s XI chose to bat as Mansoor Akthar & Raqibul Hassan played fluently to post 44 runs opening partnership. Mansoor scored 32 runs with 5 hits to the fence while Raqibul hit 14 runs. It was Vasu Diwakar who proved that he hadn’t lost any of his old charm as he played a hurricane knock of 33 runs with 3 sixes and as many boundaries. Anjum Raza hit a useful 14 runs & Kashyappan played well to score 16 runs. Tim Anderson, the ICC Program Development Manager and former Australian U-19 captain played a gem of an innings as he scored a fluent 31 runs which contained a handsomely driven six over long off. Both Mansoor Akthar & Divakar Vasu retired as per the playing condition which limited the batsmen’s personal score at 30 runs. At the end of the allotted 20 overs, KC President’s XI scored 183 runs. Taher Khan picked up two wickets

A match view Divakar Vasu Bowling and Warnapura is on non striking end.

Chasing a total of 184 runs to win the match, Roy Dias, the Sri Lankan stalwart opened the innings for KC President’s XI along with British Ambassador to Kuwait, Mr. Michael Aron. Both were in good nick and Roy Dias was in a punishing form as he stamped his class by effortlessly flicking Kaleem Ul Hassan over the mid wicket fence for a lovely six. Priyada Murali, the Kuwait U-19 women’s team captain effected the first break through for KC President’s XI by bowling the well settled Micheal Aron, with a swinging yorker. Roy Dias meanwhile retired after making a sparkling 32 runs. M. Venkatramana, the off spinner who played for India blasted the President’s bowling attack by plundering 33 runs in just 10 balls. Roy Dias & Venkatramana both retired not out after making 30s. They showed they've still got it - the spirit and the class.

Mansoor Akthar , Iqbal sikander & Divakar Vasu

Midway through the game, as the balance favored the President’s XI, Bandula Warnapura along with Naeem Ahmed slowly but steadily built up a partnership and the crowd saw some classic batting from these old stalwarts. An elegant flick to the square leg fence was the shot of the day that Bandula played and Naeem Ahmed’s late cut to the third man fence was a treat to watch. It was indeed a superb team effort by the KC President’s XI as Mansoor Akhtar & Imran Haji took vital catches and Shahriar Khan, the golden boy of ACC Media network dived and stopped at least two certain boundaries which was quite outstanding.

Bandula Warnapura with stylish squirecut for a boundry

Kuwait 's captain Asad Baig, an old war horse of many battles bowled the last over of the match and the wily spinner bowled Vinodhan John with his first delivery but Abdul Qayyum pulled the next ball to the boundary and then took three runs. The match went to the very last delivery as the Kuwait Cricket Chairman's team needed just four runs to reach their target of 184 in the Kuwait Cricket All Stars T20.

Time for vectory celeberation

As the players & spectators were at the edge of their seat and the last ball was bowled by Asad Baig, Abdul Qayyum swung and to the dismay of the Chairman’s XI the ball straightaway landed in the safe hands of Iqbal Sikander at the square-leg boundary, leaving the President’s XI victorious by a slender margin of 3 runs. Tariq Rasool & Asad Baig picked up two wickets each for President’s XI.

The international stars enjoyed the match and it was clear that there were plenty of Kuwait Cricket Officials on the field who can play too, as well as the British Ambassador who showed some fine form.

Both the captains with sponcer Mr. Chandra of Wataniya Airlines

Umpires like Pakistan's Rasheed Bhatti, T.Kashyappan, Sena Nandaveera and Match Referee Naeem Ahmed put on the pads after quite some time. Umpiring doyen KT Francis was on hand to make sure that all behaved well. The match was officiated by two well known & senior umpires of Kuwait umpiring panel.

Mr. Chandra of Wataniya Airlines with Asad Baig, Bandula Warna Pura, Micheal Aron & Jeff de Lange

The spirit was also well truly made to flow by our very gracious sponsor Mr. Chandra of Wataniya Airlines who came on board to make sure that the players had some great souvenirs to remember the day.