DUBAI: Nawayat Cricketers Dubai (NCD) Smashers defeated Rising Stars by five wickets in a thrilling final of the 11th edition of the BPL T20 cricket tournament, played on Sunday evening.
The Jan & Bros Bhatkal Premier League (BPL) T20 cricket tournament, held over the past five Sundays, took place at the JMR Stadium on Sharjah-Zaid Road near Dubai, featuring eight competitive teams. NCD Smashers showcased consistent performances throughout the tournament and delivered a remarkable display in the final to claim the championship, leaving Rising Stars as the runners-up.
Rising Stars won the toss and chose to bat first, a decision that initially seemed justified. Openers Syed Afzan and Imran Khatib provided a strong start, with Imran smashing three consecutive sixes in the second over, suggesting a mammoth score was on the cards. Syed Afzan, too, was in fine form, hitting boundaries consistently. By the fourth over, Rising Stars had raced to 56 runs, but Imran (13 balls, 26 runs) was caught by Abdul Wasi off Ismail Khan’s bowling.
Numair Sauda came in next but couldn’t last long, falling to Khalil Golte in the seventh over. The turning point came in the 10th over when Ismail Khan bowled out the dangerous Syed Afzan (29 balls, 42 runs). After contributions from Marwan Shanu (32) and Abdul Khaliq (22), the rest of the batting lineup crumbled, and the team was all out for 168 with two balls to spare.
In front of hundreds of spectators and amid chilly 15°C weather, the NCD Smashers batsmen displayed an extraordinary performance. Sarfaraz Jukaku and Ismail Khan opened the innings, setting the tone for victory. In the very first over, Ismail Khan hit two boundaries, signaling his aggressive intent. He continued his brilliance by smashing a six off the first ball of the third over, while Sarfaraz thrilled the crowd by hitting three boundaries on the third, fifth, and sixth deliveries of the same over.
By the eighth over, Ismail Khan was dismissed after scoring a sensational 63 runs off just 38 balls, which included several boundaries and sixes. By this point, NCD Smashers had reached 92 runs, firmly on track for victory. Sarfaraz Jukaku contributed a crucial 33 runs off 17 balls to support the team’s chase. Following their dismissal, Mohammed Safwan Shanu (28) and Abdul Wasi Idrusa (19) ensured the team crossed the finish line, scoring the required runs comfortably. NCD Smashers secured the win in the 17th over, posting 172 runs for the loss of 5 wickets.
For their stellar victory, NCD Smashers were awarded AED 8,888 in cash along with a trophy, while Rising Stars received AED 6,666 and a runner-up trophy.
Ismail Khan, who amassed 227 runs and took six wickets in the tournament, was named the Player of the Tournament. He was also awarded Man of the Final for his explosive innings of 63 runs off 38 balls, which featured 12 sixes and one boundary.
Abdul Basit Maullim, who claimed 10 wickets at an economy rate of 6.89, was honored as the Best Bowler, while Sarfaraz Jukaku, with 181 runs throughout the tournament, earned the Best Batsman award.
The closing ceremony witnessed the presence of BPL Committee Chairman Yasir Qasimji, prominent members of the Dubai Jamaat, and several active committee members.