Doha: Syed Kirmani Keen to Promote Cricket in Qatar
Report: Alexis Castelino
Daijiworld Media Network – Doha (SP)
Doha, Jan 28: Padmashri award winner, Syed Kirmani, arrived in Doha on Wednesday January 27. Karnataka Sangha Qatar (KSQ) committee members accorded a warm welcome to him at the local airport by presenting flower bouquets.
A special press conference had been organized at 6.30 pm with Syed Kirmani at the Ramada Hotel. KSQ president, Arun Kumar, sports secretary, Deepak Shetty, tournament coordinator, Dr Sanjay, Milan Arun and KSQ advisor, Prabhakar, were present at the venue along with the media representatives of Gulf Times, Qatar Tribune and Daijiworld.
Addressing the press conference, Kirmani shared his past experiences as a former member of the Indian national cricket team, laying emphasis on the fact that the wicket keeper plays a very important role in a cricket match. He mentioned that his last career matches were the ones played during the 1986 Australian tour. He jokingly remarked that his bald head had been a major attraction for the cricket fans during his career. At present, he serves as the chairman of the Karnataka Cricket Association. He has been the motivating force behind the Karnataka cricket stars like Ganesh Sathish, K P Pawan, Manish Pandey, Mithun and Vinay Kumar.
Syed Kirmani thanked KSQ for inviting him to Qatar to witness the final day matches. He mentioned that given an opportunity, he would be more than happy to promote cricket in Qatar.
After the press conference, Kirmani witnessed the semi final matches being played at the Indian School grounds, where he was welcomed by hundreds of cricket fans.
Tulukoota president, Ravi Shetty, ICC secretary, Habibul Nabi, Prakash Ajila, Divakar Poojary, Chidananda Naik, main sponsor, Harish Kanjani, Milan Pravasi Bharath Sanman award winner, Azeem Appas, and hundreds of prominent members of the community were present at the venue to greet Kirmani.
The day’s first semi final match was played between Hannan X1 and Euro Spare parts.
Hannan X1 team, which won the toss, elected to field first.
Euro Spare Parts scored 102 for the loss of seven wickets in the allotted 12 overs. Istiyak scored 46 and Kazi scored 20 runs for Euro Spare Parts. Farooq from Hannan X1 claimed two wickets by giving away just 14 runs.
Hannan X1 chased the target within 8.4 overs and scored 103 for the loss of just three wickets. Farooq scored briskly, getting 52 runs in only 28 deliveries, helped by five massive sixes. Farooq from Hannan X1 was declared the man of the match for his brilliant performance
The second semi final match was played between M Pallonji Qatar and Lagaan.
Having won the toss, Lagaan elected to bat first, and they could score only 59 runs in 11.2 overs, losing all their wickets in the bargain. Rafeeq, who scored ten runs, was the only batsman from the team to have reached the double figure mark. Assanka claimed three wickets for nine runs and Vikram claimed two wickets for six runs.
In reply, M Pallonji team scored 63 runs in 8.1 overs, for the loss of one wicket. Vikram remained unbeaten at 31 runs. Suraj scored 20 Runs. Vikram of Pallonji Qatar was declared the man of the match.
Padmashri award winner and 1983 world cup winning Indian cricket team member, Syed Kirmani, will be the chief guest for the final match, scheduled to be played between M Pallonji Qatar and Hannan teams, at the Ideal Indian school grounds on Thursday January 28, from 7.15 pm onwards.