Amerat: The Indian Social Club’s Deccani Wing proudly hosted the 7th edition of the Deccan Premier League (DPL), an exhilarating annual cricket tournament that beautifully intertwines the passion for cricket with the vibrant spirit of the Deccani community.
This year, the tournament featured 12 teams competing in a thrilling league format. After weeks of intense matches, the top eight teams advanced to the quarterfinals, culminating in the following semi-finalists: Deccan XI, Deccan Challengers, Deccan Stars, Team Deccan.The league matches were held at the Haya Ground, while the semi-finals and the final took centre stage at the prestigious Oman Cricket Academy Ground in Amerat.
Semi-Final 1: Deccan XI displayed their prowess by defeating Deccan Stars in a fiercely contested match.
Semi-Final 2: Team Deccan, a relatively young squad, surprised everyone by overcoming the experienced Deccan Challengers.
The final match was a true spectacle of skill and determination. Team Deccan, full of youthful energy, faced off against the seasoned Deccan XI. Batting first, Team Deccan set a challenging target of 94 runs. Under the pressure of a disciplined bowling attack and an electric crowd, Deccan XI fell short, managing only 74 runs. With this remarkable victory, Team Deccan was crowned the champions of the 7th Deccan Premier League, marking a memorable chapter in the tournament’s history.
Individual awards
The tournament also honored outstanding individual performances:
Best Batsman: Junaid Iqbal, recognised for his consistent and elegant stroke play throughout the league.
Best Bowler: Ahmed Khan, celebrated for his lethal deliveries and match-winning spells.
Player of the Tournament: Ahmed Khan, awarded for his all-round brilliance.
Event sponsorship
The event was proudly sponsored by Wujha Development, whose generous support was instrumental in the tournament’s success. Their commitment to fostering community sports and engagement was deeply appreciated by the Deccani Wing and all participants.
Syed Anwar Ahsan, a board member of the Oman Cricket Academy, graced the occasion as the chief guest. In his address, he commended the Deccani Wing’s efforts in promoting sports and unity, stating, “This tournament is a testament to the spirit of the Deccani community—passionate, united, and driven. Congratulations to Team Deccan for their exceptional performance and to all teams for their sportsmanship.”
Event management
The success of the event was a result of meticulous planning and seamless execution by a dedicated team, including Mohmed Zaheer Al Deen, Syed Naimath, Mirza, Zaki Ahmed, Fasiuddin, Mohmad Ali, and Imran, scorer mastan & Kabeer.
Mansoor Sabri, Co-Convenor of the Deccani Wing, extended a warm welcome to the audience and praised the teams’ sportsmanship and enthusiasm.
Celebration beyond cricket
The event was not just about cricket; it was a vibrant festival of community spirit:
Spot Prizes and Games: Children enjoyed exciting games and spot prizes, ensuring they felt part of the celebration.
Food Stalls: The aroma of authentic Deccani dishes wafted through the venue, with food stalls offering a rich variety of traditional flavors.
Cultural Camaraderie: Families, friends, and cricket enthusiasts came together in an atmosphere of joy and unity, making the day
unforgettable.
Promoting sportsmanship
The Deccan Premier League Edition 7 was a grand success, reaffirming the Deccani Wing’s commitment to promoting sportsmanship, unity, and cultural pride. The event concluded with promises of an even bigger and better tournament next year.
Esteemed sponsors
The event was made possible by the generous support of esteemed sponsors, including: Wujha Development, Salim Mohiuddin, Arabian Travels, Arabian Food, HST Signes, Sohar Aluminium, Badr Al Sama, Deccan Darbar, Golden Events, Al Omaniya, Takamul, Delight Kitchen, Sarooj Water, Nizamat Restaurant, Barzaman and Al Izz Computers.