For the second consecutive year, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar (WCMC-Q) students are champions of the Education City Cricket League, defeating Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMU-Q) in last Friday’s league finals. The 20-over match was played at Education City before an enthusiastic crowd of supporters for both sides.

WCMC-Q student Imran Farooq (class of ‘09) describes the action:

TAMU-Q won the toss and elected to field first. Initially they bowled well, conceding only 43 runs in the first 10 overs before the break. But WCMC-Q batsmen came back strong during the next 10 overs and scored an additional 99 runs for the loss of 3 wickets. Batsmen Nigel Pereira and team captain Farhan Zakri led the comeback with 58 runs and 33 runs respectively. At the end of the first half, the Big Red of WCMC-Q left the Aggies of TAMU-Q to chase a target of 143 runs.

When their turn to field came, WCMC-Q captain Farhan Zakri put the pressure on TAMU-Q batsmen early by clean bowling them on the first ball of the innings. Bowling remained strong, but the Aggie batsmen took some key opportunities to exploit WCMC-Q’s lackluster fielding.

But those opportunities proved to not be enough for TAMU-Q, who trailed by over 40 runs by the last ball. WCMC-Q had nine slips in position to end the game in a historic and most unforgettable manner. When all was said and done, TAMU-Q scored 106 for the loss of 9 wickets through their 20 overs.

After a jubilant celebration on the field, the teams gathered for trophy presentations with supporters from both sides there to share the moment. “It really does help boost the morale of the team when we see so many supporters,” Zakri said. “Our team was really happy to see people there cheering us.”

Trophies for second and first place were awarded, and the teams also recognized the contributions of the game officials. Zakri was declared the Man of the Match for taking 4 wickets and his outstanding batting.

Bowler and Batsman of the Tournament were decided in a meeting between the team captains from each of the Education City campuses later in the week. WCMC-Q student Nigel Pereira (class of ‘10) took the top batsman nod for scoring more than 200 runs and remaining “not out” throughout the four matches in which he played. The Best Bowler trophy went to Misam Jaffer, captain of the TAMU-Q team.

“We are particularly grateful to Alex Rosca, Recreation Activities Coordinator at Education City, for his support of the tournament,” said Zakri. “He was instrumental in securing a location for the games, funding for equipment, and trophies for the champions.”

The Cricket League is just one example of the inter-campus cooperation taking place between the various institutions of Education City, the flagship project of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development.

 

Report by Chris Gibbons