Their campaign in the tournament’s third season began like the previous one ended, with Modernite once again showing they’re the class of the NSL at The Sevens on Saturday.
Both the Under-14 and Under-17 side flexed their muscles with domination in all facets of the game to earn lopsided victories.
Coach Mohammed Salim’s U-14 squad set the tone in the morning by knocking 141 in their 15 overs before shutting down Dubai College for just 39 runs.
Siddharth Tugnait, who helped last year’s U-13 team capture the trophy, was in command at the crease as he made 50 runs off 35 balls, including seven fours.
“I think it was a really nice way to pick-up after winning last year,” Tugnait said.
“It feels like we’re really carrying forward our momentum into this season and feels like we’ve really over the past two years bonded as a team and that’s helping us.”
Tugnait then moved up to play for the U-17 side as they set a massive total of 221 for one of the highest team scores in NSL history.
GEMS are chasing a third NSL title.
Ronak Panoly, who also starred for the U-13 champions last season, continued to flash his talent with 56 runs off just 28 balls, including nine fours.
With many of their up-and-coming players from the past two U-13 title-winning teams now on the older squad, Modernite are set up to finally capture the crown after losing in the semi-finals last year, but Salim doesn’t believe it will be easy.
“The boys played to their potential. I’m happy with the batsmen, especially in the second game,” the coach said. “Compared to last year’s team, we have a little bit weakened batting side and we already have a good bowling side, so batting is a concern. We’re missing badly our captain from last year. In school cricket, one or two key players can change the game. It takes a little bit of time, but I hope with one or two players who we’re working with, the way they’re improving they can easily replace it.”
In Sharjah, historically-strong Delhi Private School (DPS) got their season off to a flyer with wins in both age groups.
The U-14 boys smacked 153 runs and restricted Pakistan Islamia Higher Secondary School to 108 all-out, while the U-17 team had a tougher test against the PAK Hawks but still passed with their 162 runs too much to catch.
DPS are aiming to build on the U-15 trophy they claimed in the NSL’s inaugural season, following a deep run in U-13 that ultimately came up short in the 2015/16 final.
