As a part of social responsibility and also to promote the game of cricket in Kuwait, NCM Investment Company and AMWAL International Investment conducted a fully sponsored “NCM T20 Premier League” 2020. The initial league round matches were played at UPL grounds earlier this year.
NCM won the NCM T20 Premier League held at Sulaibiya KC cricket ground on Saturday, 14th Nov 2020 in the final beating Al Hajery cricket club by a margin of 3 runs in a nail-biting finals, thus lifting the proud trophy in style and dedicating the huge victory to their strong team performance under the guidance of Captain Khurram Sayeed.
Winning the toss, NCM elected to bat first and scored 198 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. Losing an early wicket in the first over, NCM managed to keep the scoring at fast pace by cracking knocks from Edson Dsilva, who scored 78 runs from just 48 balls and supported by Nassir Hussain, who also finished his half century from 39 balls. Al Hajery tried to restrict the score in the middle overs but a fire cracking innings from Nimish Latheef who made 49 runs from just 21 balls in the end enabled NCM to post a competitive target of 199 runs in their allotted 20 overs. Nithin Simon of Al Hajery CC was the pick of the bowlers and took 2 wickets for 29 runs.
While chasing 199 runs, Al Hajery lost 3 quick wickets within the field restricted overs. NCM pacers Mohammed Usman and Nazmul Hussain bowled exceptionally well, not allowing the batsmen to free their arms in the power play. While it seemed that the match was tilting towards NCM’s favor, Nithin Simon took charge of the innings and single-handedly took the battle by scoring a swashbuckling century in just 48 balls. Leg spinner Nimish Latheef and pacer Meezan Ali, who took 2 wickets, bowled exceptionally well in the middle overs to keep the required rate below 12 runs per over. Having restricted Al Hajery CC to 9 runs in the final over, Captain Khurram Sayeed relied upon his most trusted bowler Usman who bowled a memorable last over by giving away just 6 runs enabling NCM lift the coveted trophy by a margin of 3 runs.
Edson Dsilva of NCM was named man of the match as well as the best batsman of the tournament. Shilesh of KNPC was named the best bowler and Wender Bhutejo of NCM was declared named the best all-rounder of the tournament.
Faraz Mushtaq, Head of Marketing, said, “NCM Investment has now earned a name in the Kuwait Cricketing Arena and shall strive hard to continue the winning streak with hard work, dedication, and motivation.”
Mr. Naser Al Marri, Vice Chairman, Mr. Thayar Sharif – CFO, Mr. Firas Al Kurdi, Head of Legal from NCM and Mr. Munaf from Kuwait Cricket official were the guest of honor who distributed the Winners and Runners up trophies and individual prizes to the participating teams. The match was officiated by Kuwait Cricket Panel umpires and UPL scorers.