Volcano erupt under lights at cricket’s newest facility in Shahama

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The inaugural match under lights at the Volcano cricket grounds in Shahama was a memorable occasion for Khuram Barvi, founder of Volcano Sports and the new cricket facility in Abu Dhabi.

Opening the batting for his side in the Volcano Sports organised Abu Dhabi Super 16 Twenty20 tournament, Khuram was the star performer on the night.

He smashed a top score of 88 and grabbed two wickets to lead his side to an 18-run victory over Mashreq United on Saturday.

"The floodlit grounds in Abu Dhabi is a facility for all the cricket loving public to enjoy playing on turf wickets and top flight competitions,” Khuram said.

"For me, I couldn’t have wished for a better way of celebrating all the work that had gone in to build this new facility. The opportunity to bat first and score some runs was something that I never anticipated.

"I want to emphasise to the cricket loving public this facility is now open and is another beautiful facility added to cricket’s landscape in the country.” Khuram’s 47-ball knock was studded with nine fours and a couple of sixes, and he also set the platform with an opening runs stand of 100 in 10.3 overs with the UAE U19 international Mohammed Riyan who chipped in with a 32-ball 37.

Volcano, electing to take first lease of the wicket, posted 173 for five in 20 overs and Mashreq United were restricted to 155 for eight with Barvi taking two for 19 from his four overs.

The tournament has drawn 16 teams in four groups and the top two move to the knockout stage. Etihad Airways play Golden Willows in the second match on Sunday.

Teams: Group A: Etihad Airways, Golden Willows, Strikers Abu Dhabi, United Blasters. Group B: Red Backs Abu Dhabi, Independent, Department of Health, Environment Cricket. Group C: Volcano, India Social Centre, PKZ Al Ibrahimi, Mashreq United. Group D: Al Fahim, ANM Commercial Brokers, Hyderabad Nawabs, Thrifty Car Rental.

Brief scores
Volcano 173 for 5 in 20 overs (Khuram Barvi 88, Mohammed Riyan 37, Ameen Khan 4-31) beat Mashreq United 155 for 8 in 20 overs (Faisal Virk 34, Prasad Acharya 32, Khuram Barvi 2-19, Irfan Khan 2-36).