Abu Dhabi // Justin D'Souza played the anchor role to guide Abu Dhabi Indian School (ADIS)to a 25-run win over Cambridge High School in the Under 16 final at the Abu Dhabi Cricket Council's Nursery Oval yesterday.
The 14 year old scored 73 in his team's total of 138 all out and Anson Quadros then took three wickets for eight runs from four overs as Cambridge were all out for 113.
D'Souza faced 62 balls and hit seven fours and shared a valuable 47-run stand for the sixth wicket with Ayman Gundru (17).
ADIS will be aiming to complete a double when they meet Merryland International in the Under 14 final today at the Nursery Oval.
Meanwhile, a self-taught young cricketer will be hoping to lead by example in tomorrow's Under 19 final of the Abu Dhabi interschool tournament.
The Sheikh Khalifia bin Zayed Pakistan School captain Ahmed ur Rehman has been named the man of the match in all three games he has played in the competition so far and will be expected to play another key role in the finale against Cambridge High School, the defending champions, at Zayed Cricket Stadium.
What is most impressive though is that before his school joined the tournament, which was launched in 2009/10, he had never had any form of cricket coaching.
"I only played tennis ball cricket until then," the young Pakistani said. "The interschool tournament encouraged me to work hard. Here I had an opportunity to play in a competition.
"I worked on my fitness by running and exercising, and used the school nets to improve my batting.
"I did all this on my own because I not only wanted to play but perform. My ambition is to play at a good level."
Rehman's impressive performances have been integral in his team's run to the final.
He took three wickets for four runs from four overs to help bowl out the International School Choueifat-Abu Dhabi for 46, then he hit 103 against Al Nahda National School, and scored 62 in the semi-finals against Abu Dhabi Indian School.
