Champions dominate inaugural UAE Exchange T20 tournament

Queens of Victory and Challengers cricket clubs won the maiden 2013 UAE Exchange & Xpress Money T20 tournament in women and men’s categories, respectively, at Kicukiro cricket ground over the weekend.Reigning women champions Queens of Victory Cricket Club maintained their unbeaten streak in the tournament overcoming Charity Cricket Club in the finals.Charity, the reigning national men’s champions, batted first and scored 81 all out and Queens chased it down losing only three wickets. Queens’ star player Dianne Bimenyimana was the woman of the match after hitting 38 runs and getting one wicket.She said, “This is the first time we have won a trophy and we are happy.”In the men’s final, rain didn’t stop Challengers from powering past Kigali Cricket Club to lift the trophy. A quick fire 81 off 39 balls from Sairam Gopalan helped Challengers record 188 runs which proved a huge mountain for KCC batsmen.Due to rain interruption play was stopped for one hour and KCC had lost eight overs. Using Duckworth and Lewis method the score was revised to 124 runs in 12 overs for KCC to win the match.KCC only managed 84 runs losing to Challengers by 40 runs.Gopalan said, “It’s a great for us.”KCC captain Zaki Hassan said, “I am happy for my team’s performance even if we didn’t win. The players did their best and it has given us confidence for the next tournament.”Sponsors UAE Exchange & Xpress Money assured Rwanda Cricket Association continued support, particularly in organising next year’s edition.Besides the team awards which went to Queens and Challengers, Miriam Maina (Charity CC) won the upcoming player accolade; Raphael Ganimana of Queens of Victory CC was voted the best bowler with five wickets; while Egidia Uwimana of Kigali Angels CC who made 116 runs in four innings was the best bats woman.Dianne Bimenyimana, who made four wickets, four dismissals and 179 runs in five innings emerged the female player of the tournament in the women category.In the men category, Zappy Bimenyimana of Victory CC was named the upcoming player; Andre Kayitera of Victory CC, who made 196 runs, emerged the best batsman; Mehbub Shaikh of Challengers CC was voted the best bowler with 10 wickets, while Gopalan of Challengers was the male player of the tournament with 194 runs and five dismissals.

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Champions dominate inaugural UAE Exchange T20 tournament