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Dubai: The soaring heat of Dubai could not stop domestic cricketers from playing in the final of the Seven Seas Summer Cup on Friday at the Dubai Investment Park ground.
The temperature peaked to 48 degrees centigrade but so passionate were these cricketers that they played smeared with sun cream and pouring water over them to ward off the heat.
Though the match started at 7.30am, by the time the winning shot was hit, the heat was at its peak, at 12 noon.
Hosts Seven Seas Strikers beat Enoc by five wickets chasing a total of 149 for 8 made in 20 overs. Seven Seas reached the target with two overs to spare. The winning shot was a towering six over long on from Ayoub Iqbal.
Mercury rising
"We have been staging the Summer Cup for the last ten years during the same period but every year the heat is increasing. The enthusiasm from our cricketers is so much that they love to play even in this heat," said Tariq Butt, the chief organiser.
"The semifinal was the toughest. That day the temperature soared to 52 degrees and it was very humid. We chased a total of 197 and won," remarked Freddy Sidhwa the captain of Seven Seas Strikers.
Despite the heat, no cricketer suffered heat stroke during the tournament. "The support staff made up of employees of Seven Seas Shipchandlers kept ready energy drinks soaked in ice cubes and cartons of mineral water. Every four overs we provided drinks break," added Sidhwa, who also emerged as the best bowler.
Enoc piled up an impressive total through the best batsman of the tournament Mohammad Mudassar's 37, and Adnan's 43. Seven Seas began their chase with Asif Iqbal hitting the first ball over long on for four. He then hit 60 off 34 balls.
Butt will organise the Independence Day Cup on behalf of Dubai Cricket Council on August 15.
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