Individual awards:

Men

Best player: Yogesh Kulkarni (Telugu)

Best batter: Rishi Arya (Telugu)

Best bowler: Pankay Vekaria (Indorwa CC)

Best fielder: Ajesh Chervvil (Challengers)

Women:

Best player: Dianne Ishimwe (She-Guards)

Best batter: D. Busingye (Queens of Victory)

Best bowler: Rosine Ingabire (Charity CC)

Best fielder: D. Uwimana (Queens of Victory)

Telugu Royals Cricket Club were crowned champions of the UAE Exchange and 50-overs Premier League for their first time after beating Indorwa CC in the final on Sunday at Kicukiro cricket ground.

The new champions defeated Ndorwa cricket club by 59 runs. In the hugely watched game, Telugu Royals won the toss and batted first, making 159 runs all out in 38.1 overs.

Telugu opener Rishi Arya was outstanding with 68 runs from 97 balls and was ably supported by Eric Ndangamyambi, who made 14 runs in 36 balls. In reply, Ndorwa only managed to put on 100 runs all out in 23.2 overs.

Denis Mukama was the star performer for Indorwa scoring 20 runs in 23 balls while Eric Hirwa contributed 14 runs off 14 balls.

"I congratulate my teammates for a great performance today, the whole team performed according to our game plan,” Telugu Royal cricket club captain Ram Morumbubi told Times Sport.

He noted that, "We’re happy to win this league for the first time and hope it is the first of many more trophies that we want to win in the future, we are starting to prepare for the V.R NAIDU Family T20 tournament due early next month.”

Telugu Royals have won two trophies this season, the first being the Computer Point T20 tournament two months ago.

Telugu’s Arya was awarded as the best batter in the men’s league after making 102 runs, while the best bowler award was taken by Indorwa’s Pankay Vekaria, who took 20 wickets.

Yogesh Kulkarni of Telugu was named player of the series after making 69 runs and 13 wickets while Challengers’ Ajesh Chervvil was the best fielder, with 5 catches and 1 run-out.

Meanwhile, White Clouds claimed the women’s 20-overs version of the league after defeating defending champions Charity CC in the final played on Saturday, by 13 runs.

Dianne Ishimwe of She-Guards Cricket Club was the player of the series. She made 30 runs, 5 wickets and 1 catch, while Queens of Victory’s Damalie Busingye walked away with the best batter award after making 64 runs.

Queens of Victory’s Divine Uwimana was the best fielder with 5 catches while Rosine Ingabire of Charity Cricket Club walked away with award of the best bowler with 7 wickets.

All the finalist teams were awarded a trophy and Rwf100,000 and Rw50,000 for the winners and first runners-up respectively.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw