UAE's finest cricketers honoured at Bhatia Awards

Denzil Pinto 10:20 30/04/2016
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  • A night to remember: Winners of the awards.

    UAE international Rohan Mustafa added yet another accolade to his collection after being among the winners at the annual Shyam Bhatia Cricket Awards in Dubai.

    It was the second consecutive year the 27-year-old all-rounder claimed the prestigious award of Best Division One player on Thursday evening, representing Dubai Cricket Council. Twelve months ago, he picked up the same award for Sharjah Cricket Council.

    It’s been a strong season for the Unicorn player, who scored four half-centuries and one ton, while also playing a key role in the UAE’s qualification to the Asia Cup in Bangladesh in February.

    “I’m really thankful to Allah because last year when I got that trophy, I said to myself that I wanted to win it again this year,” he said after collecting the prize from Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) chairman and UAE Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, with former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene in attendance.

    The Bhatia Awards recognise the achievements of players and officials in the domestic game.

    Batsmen Amjad Ali and Rameez Shahzad, who are also in the national set-up, were named Best Players for Abu Dhabi and Sharjah Cricket Councils in Division One.

    After playing a vital role in the UAE’s Gulf Cup triumph scoring a total of 150 runs and excelling for Sharjah Cricket Academy, all-rounder Subha Srinivasan claimed the Best Women’s Cricketer award.

    The mother of two and the oldest player in the UAE national team at 36, was delighted by her latest feat and insists it will only help her become a better player.

    Hero: Rohan (L) with Sheikh Nahyan.

    Hero: Rohan (L) with Sheikh Nahyan.

    “I’m privileged to receive this award. To have won the Gulf Cup with the UAE was a great achievement. This award motivates me to get even better and hope to win more awards,” said Srinivasan, who had played alongside India captain Mithali Raj in 2009.

    In the junior category, batsman Justin D’Souza won the Best Abu Dhabi Youth Cricketer for the second time after winning in 2013.

    Having impressed for Cambridge School during the domestic season and training with Sussex Cricket County Club last summer, the Zayed Academy pupil wants to build on this success.

    “It’s a great feeling to win again,” he said. “Now I want to aim as far as possible and make it to the UAE Under-19 squad. I also want to give it a shot in playing in England full-time but I know this will require a lot of hard work.”

    Fahad Nawaz and Niel Lobo claimed the top prizes for Dubai and Sharjah respectively.

    Lobo, who captained Sport360 National School League champions Our Own Zenith and was third highest runscorer in U-16 Arch Trophy, said: “I would like to express my thanks and support to my parents, Sharjah Cricket Council, my head coach – Presley and Desert Cubs, my school principal and coach Fostus Xavier for their motivation and guidance.”

    The UAE national team were also honoured following their impressive Asia Cup campaign in Bangladesh in February.

    Shyam Bhatia, organiser of the awards, added: “Everyone knows that Jayawardene is such a great player and to have Sheikh Nahyan attend the awards for the first time means it is a special day. Congratulations to all the winners.”

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