In its second consecutive year, the International Bank of Qatar (IBQ) Cricket Masters Tournament concluded on the weekend with Readymix Company emerging as the winning team. At a colourful prize distribution ceremony, chief guest Michael Williams, General Manager of IBQ, complimented the Qatar Veterans’ Cricket League on the successful management of the tournament and congratulated the players on their achievements.
After some three months of weekly cricket matches, the 2nd IBQ Masters Cricket Tournament came to an end on Friday 9th of March with a large crowd watching the final match. This year's winners Readymix Company received a huge trophy presented by IBQ, the sole sponsors of the sports event.
Commenting on the successful tournament, Michael Williams, General Manager of IBQ said "We are delighted again to have supported this excellent tournament which goes from strength to strength as more companies form their own teams and join in."
He added; IBQ is pleased to be involved with events like this which reach out to the community and reflect our own values of teamwork and quality.’
Umpiring the finals were Murthy and Ramakant and Shanawaz won Man of the Finals. Other winners included Best Batsman: Abid from Lightening, Best Bowler: Rahid from Kemco Select and Best All Rounder was Mustafa from Bin Ghalib
Detailed report of Finals Match
In a keenly contested Finals Readymix got the better of Pallonji and won by 2 wickets. Put into bat Pallonji lost their star opener Shailesh being caught by Shahbaz being bowled by Shanawaz in the 2nd over for 3 runs. Other opener Vikram and Captain Niraj batted sensibly and Pallonji were 72 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in 10 overs. Niraj came strongly towards the end and was bowled by Shanaka for 32 runs in 23 deliveries with 2 fours and a six. Pallonji managed 135 runs for the loss of 10 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Lalith was not out on 20 runs while Vikram chipped in with 18 runs, Shanawaz and Shanaka took 2 wickets each while Rizwan, Salim Kutty, Sanjay, Wahid Kasu, Majid Parker and Irar took a wicket each.
In reply Readymix were jolted by Veteran Chidananda when he claimed the prize wicket of Captain Salim Kutty being caught by Shailesh for 11 runs and then immediately having Wahid Kasu caught on the very delivery again of Shailesh for a duck. Lalith struck in the next over having batsman Irar caught and bowled for only 1 run and Readymix were tottering at 19 for the loss of 3 wickets. Thereafter wicket fell regularly and at the end of 10 overs Readymix were 76 for the loss of 7 wickets. Sensibly batting by Shanawaz towards the end saw Readymix scoring 137 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 18.4 overs. Shanawaz was unbeaten on 44 of 24 balls with 4 sixes and 1 four. Bejas and Shanaka chipped in with 15 runs each. Chidananda took 2 wickets while Lalith, Vikram, Neeraj, Dinesh, Manoj and Shailesh claimed a wicket each.
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About the International Bank of Qatar (IBQ)
The International Bank of Qatar (IBQ); a well established and rapidly growing financial institution, previously known as Grindlays Qatar, celebrated its 50th year anniversary in 2006. IBQ today is a joint venture fully managed, with 20% owned, by the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK); the largest bank in Kuwait and one of the leading banks in the Middle East. The remaining 80% is owned by influential Qatari entities, whilst the bank is Chaired by Qatar's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affair's H.E. Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al-Thani.
Taking half a century of extensive experience in service-based private and corporate banking, IBQ has been and continues to expand its retail banking business with a parallel strategy, based on that experience, which accentuates its high quality service-based approach. IBQ today, offers its customers a full range of retail, private and corporate banking solutions with a strong commitment to excellent quality service, and a focus on building long-lasting relationships. With a total of 4 branches and 8 ATMs located in strategic locations throughout Qatar, IBQ is an increasingly prominent local player that benefits from an international network as a result of its affiliation with NBK.
