Heriot-Watt head to Red Bull Campus Cricket World Finals once again

Nick Watkins - Writer 11:51 18/04/2018
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  • Red Bull winners: Heriot-Watt University

    Heriot-Watt University (HWU) were crowned UAE champions of the Red Bull Campus Cricket 2018 for the fourth time, after defeating Manipal University en route to the World Finals in Sri Lanka.

    Ten universities from the UAE took part in the three-day tournament, which produced thrilling action at Ajman Eden Grounds. Former UAE Under 19 captain Rohit Singh won the toss, elected to bat and helped his side score a massive 201 runs in their allotted 20 overs with the loss of six wickets. In reply, Manipal University were all out for 122 runs.

    Key batsman Imad Mustaq scored  a quick fire 104 runs for HWU in just 55 balls, while Manipal’s star bowler, Mukul Anand took the important wicket of UAE international Chirag Suri for just 10 runs. However, chasing a target of 202 runs, Manipal University were all out 81 short, thanks to a vengeful Suri taking three wickets, for just 22 runs with his off-spin.

    Red Bull’s chief guests, Bollywood actor and chairman and MD of Caprice watches Mr. M.S. Khan, along with former UAE World Cup 1996 cricketer Mr. Shehzad Altaf, presented prizes to the tournament’s top performers.

    Best bowler of the tournament, Jay Joshi from HWU said, “It was a great few days; it was my second year competing in the Red Bull Campus Cricket and we’ve been champions four times in a row now so it’s been great to take part”.

    “The ground facilities are superb and the quality of cricket is amazing, it’s good to play exciting cricket in the UAE. The quality is getting better every year and the tournament is being managed better every year as well, it’s really turning into a special event”.

    Rohit Singh representing HWU, was awarded the best captain of the season award following the event. With plenty of experience playing abroad he’s looking forward to the World Finals in September. “The tournament has been a great success, and I’ve been lucky enough to captain the side over the last four years. The first year we won, we flew to India and the following two years to Sri Lanka, so we’re looking forward to going back there again and going one better than before. We’ve got a stronger team than ever and we’re aiming to at least reach the semi finals this time”.

    He added, “It’s much different to playing in the UAE because a lot of the players have professional contracts so the standard in the world finals is very tough. Some of the guys are fully contracted domestically as well even if they’re not playing for the national side to it’s highly competitive”.

    Red Bull Campus Cricket 2018 awards

    1. Best Captain of all season—- Rohit Singh (Heriot-Watt University)
    2. Man of the Finals — Imad Mustaq 104 runs in 55 balls (Heriot-Watt University)
    3. Best Batsman of the tournament – Chirag Suri – 202 runs (Heriot-Watt University)
    4. Best Bowler of the tournament – Jay Joshi – 8 wickets (Heriot-Watt University)
    5. Player of the Tournament – Khalid Shah – 206 runs and three wickets – (Skyline University)
    6. Red Bull Campus Cricket UAE Qualifiers Champions 2018— Heriot-Watt University.
    7. Runner Up Team UAE Qualifiers 2018 – Manipal University

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