Kuwait, Sunday 29th January, 2006

Gulf Consult recently inaugurated their prestigious league based tournament for 2005-06 season for - the GC/KBRC Trophy - at their Cricket Ground located in Sulaibiya Area.

This is the ninth consecutive year that the tournament has been sponsored by the Kuwaiti British Readymix Company (KBRC). This tournament has a special place in Kuwait’s cricketing history as it was the first ever full-day cricket tournament in Kuwait.  This has all been possible because of the generous support of Mr. Danny Reynolds the General Manager of KBRC, who has always been keen to develop the noble game of Cricket in Kuwait, especially among Kuwaitis.
In the best interests of emerging teams, the tournament had been designed this year in a way whereby the twelve participating teams have been divided into following two groups playing each other in the first phase of the tournament.  The completion of the first phase of the tournament will determine each teams standing in the group. Thereafter the top two teams from each group will play in the semi-finals.

On behalf of Gulf Consult Mr. Jeff de Lange thanked Kuwait British Readymix Company, especially their General Manager, Mr. Danny Reynolds, for their positive sponsorship and support in developing cricket standards in Kuwait.  He congratulated all the participating teams and thanked them for their co operation in making this event a great success.  In celebration of the event Danny then cut the inauguration cake as well as hitting the first ball of the tournament.

In the inauguration match, Fast Telco beat Streams Cricket Eleven by 104 runs.  After winning to toss Fast Telco captain Sandeep elected to bat first.  Asif and Zartab who opened the inning for Fast Telco could not face the attack of opponents and at one stage after fall of Zartab wicket they were 4/1 in 2 overs  Asif and Faisal came to the crease and smashed all Streams bowlers at will all around the ground to establish a 144 run partnership for the second wicket before being separated in 16th over.  After the departure of Asif another partnership of 48 run between Faisal (61) and Rajeev (42) helped them to set a modest target of 264/5 in the allotted 30 overs.
Main Scorers : Asif 85, Faisal 61 and Rajeev 42.  Kurien (Ranji) 42/3, Suku John 33/1

In reply Streams could manage only 170 runs before being all out in 29 overs
Main Scorers who could enter into double figures were Biji 55, George 27, Suki 13 and Regi 11, whereas Zartaab grabbed 14/3 and Faisal took 26/2 in 6 overs quota.

The tournament is being organized and managed by Mr. Naresh Dsouza of Gulf Consult, under the able guidance of Mr. Jeff de Lange (Deputy Chief Executive – Finance of Kuwait Cricket Association) and Mr. Asad Baig (Deputy Chief Executive – International Affairs of Kuwait Cricket Association).