Controversy stalls Punjab Premier League
Dulsco emerge Sprite Smart Cup champions for second year after defeating Cheer Kings The final of the Punjab Premier League (PPL), a tournament which was announced with huge fanfare, cannot be completed following a dispute between Eurocon Alubond and Inte
UAE’s domestic cricket, which has been reeling under pressure over allegations of mismanagement, has been hit by another controversy.
The final of the Punjab Premier League (PPL), a tournament which was announced with huge fanfare, cannot be completed following a dispute between Eurocon Alubond and Interface Transworld after the semi-final.
The final of PPL, being held under the auspices of the Ajman Cricket Council, was scheduled for December 4 last year but is yet to be staged. The tournament, backed by Bollywood stars and involving 12 corporate teams, was launched by actor Anil Kapoor in a colourful function held at the Crowne Plaza in Dubai last October with a prize money of Dh75,000.
It is understood that the trouble began soon after Interface defeated Eurocon. Sultan Ahmad, a left-arm spinner who played for Interface was actually registered with Eurocon. The matter was even referred to the Domestic Cricket Development Committee (DCDC) but despite a long meeting, a solution has not yet been found.
Danube Lions had reached the final from the other semis but has been forced to wait for their opponent for the last one month.
Anis Sajan, the owner of Danube Lions said: “It is frustrating. In a T20 tournament, momentum and intensity wins you games, and we hoped to bank on that after our semifinal performance to win the final. Now after close to a month later, there is no decision made by the organisers or local council on either the dispute between the two teams or the final. Confidence is being lost in domestic cricket due to lack of a proper structure and total disregard for rules. I am afraid that his may continue and will also affect the national team.”
Soon after Gulf News published the report on top clubs being closed down, the DCDC officials had assured that players’ movement from one team to another will be looked into seriously.
Meanwhile, indoor cricket is gaining huge popularity in Dubai. Dulsco team won the Sprite Smart Cup 2015 for the second time in succession by defeating Cheer Kings CC by 26 runs in the final of the tournament organised by Smart Life Foundation at Insportz.
En route to the final, Dulsco defeated NSCC Soil Mechanics and Mashreq DD. In the Quarter-finals Dulsco defeated Jubali Jets and in the semifinals Mashreq Knigh Riders. Arshad Ayub of Dulsco was the Best Player of the Tournament and Iqbal Haider of Dulsco awarded with Best Bowler of the Tournament trophy.