Wednesday 08 / January / 2025
MUSCAT: Yalla Shabab emerged as champions in the fiercely contested Oman Cricket Premier Division (50-over-a-side) League 2024-25.
In a thrilling culmination to the season recently, Yalla Shabab edged out their stablemates, Royal Oman Stallions, on net run rate and exacted revenge for their earlier defeat in the Oman D10 League.
The title triumphs of Yalla Shabab and Royal Oman Stallions marked a historic achievement for team owner Chaitanya Khimji, whose two teams dominated the tournaments, finishing as winners and runners-up in both formats so far this season.
In the final round of the Premier Division, Yalla Shabab delivered a commanding performance against Majees CC, securing an 85-run victory. Batting first, they posted an imposing total of 308/9, spearheaded by Gowtham Sagar’s scintillating unbeaten century. His 131 off 126 balls, studded with 10 boundaries and six towering sixes, was complemented by a blazing 71 from Zikria Islam, who struck at a run-a-ball pace.
Majees’ bowlers found some success through Abid Ullah, who claimed 4/68, but their batting lineup faltered under pressure.
Despite a fighting half-century from Wishwa W and useful contributions in the 30s from Abbas Khan, Faizan Abdullah, and Abdul Rauf, Majees could only muster 223/9 in their 50 overs. Mohit Patel’s disciplined spell of 3/29 and Zikria Islam’s two wickets sealed the win and the title for Yalla Shabab.
Redemption and rivalry
The title carried a sense of poetic justice for Yalla Shabab, who had been outclassed by Royal Oman Stallions in the Oman D10 League earlier in the season.
The Stallions had claimed that title, extending their dominance from the previous year. However, Yalla Shabab’s latest triumph in the Premier Division League served as a resounding response, as they turned the tables on their stablemates to claim the coveted championship.
“This is a double dream come true,” said an elated Chaitanya Khimji.
“To have my teams finish as champions and runners-up is a historic moment. The hard work of the management, coaches, and players has paid off, and I couldn’t be prouder. We’re now looking forward to similar success in the D50 and D20 tournaments and aim for a quadruple.”
Yalla Shabab and Royal Oman Stallions both ended the Premier Division with eight points each, but Yalla Shabab’s superior net run rate handed them the edge.
The success of both the teams in the two tournaments is a testament to Chaitanya’s vision and commitment to fostering excellence in domestic cricket.
Reflecting on his teams’ success, the teams’ owner said, “Our journey has been filled with hard work, teamwork, and unforgettable moments. Seeing both my teams at the top underscores the depth of talent and dedication within our ranks. We aim to continue raising the bar and setting new standards in the game.”
Chaitanya’s cricket stables have consistently been at the forefront of domestic cricket in Oman in recent years.
Yalla Shabab were the champions of the D20 tournament in 2023, while Royal Oman Stallions have been serial winners in the D10 format, clinching back-to-back titles.
“The success is a result of careful planning and execution by our team owner, Chaitanyabhai, our chief coach Prasanth Chandran, the coaching and support staff, and the players,” said Yalla Shabab skipper Jay Odedra.
“We have a strong mix of talent, and the title win boosts our confidence as we aim for success in the remaining tournaments of the season.”
Standout performers
The Premier Division top performers for Yalla Shabab included Hasnain Ul Wahab, the top run-getter with 216 runs from five matches, and Mohit Patel, the highest wicket-taker with 11 wickets from five games.
For Oman Stallions, Hasnain Ali Shah stood out as the team’s best performer, leading with both bat and ball. Shah amassed 181 runs and claimed 13 wickets from five matches, underscoring his all-round excellence throughout the event.
For Chaitanya, the journey is far from over. “Our goal is to maintain this momentum and continue producing quality cricket. The passion and dedication of everyone involved make me optimistic about achieving even greater heights,” he added.
Brief scores: Yalla Shabab 308/9 in 50 overs (Gowtham Sagar 131 n.o.; Abid Ullah 4/68) beat Majees CC 223/9 in 50 overs (Wishwa W 59; Mohit Patel 3/29).
