WMO Middle East Chapter players fly in from Dubai for MPL T20

Monday, 18 February 2013 00:24 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Sri Lankan entrepreneur based in Dubai since 1975 and the Captain of Royal College Rowing Team from 1974-1975, currently the World Memon Organisation Middle East Chapter, Board member and team CEO Farook Kassim, was requested to form a cricket team to participate in the first MPL T20 to be held in Sri Lanka from 18 to 23 February 2013.

The first meeting was held last week of November 2012, at Al Bogari Holdings conference

room with Kassim, Thaya Ponnaiah, Akil Aslam and Colts Cricket Academy Dubai Head Coach Vishan Fernando. It was agreed and confirmed that Fernando, will coach the MEC team for the MPL T20.

The first meeting with WMO Middle East Chapter players was held on 2 December 2012, having only three players attended the meeting. With all efforts made by Kassim, a message was sent out by social media channels and first practice session was attended by 11 players.

As every week progressed, the number of attendees began to increase. The Head Coach along with Coach Atif Iftikhar managed to form a squad of 20 players.

After some strenuous practice sessions throughout December 2012 and January 2013, coaches finalised the squad of 16 players and appointed Akil Aslam as the Captain of the touring team and Ahmed Mohamed as his deputy.

The team is a mixed bunch of lads who has played either for Colleges, University teams or Clubs. Further, these players are from different cultures and Asian subcontinent countries (Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) which make this team unique from the others.

WMO ME players are of many surprises that will enable them to turn tables at this T20 tournament and it’s a treat to watch the batsmen doing their bit in the middle. In the bowling department, the quickies are of a difference and spinners add flavour in their variation.

Fielding has been a key role the coaches have been concentrating, which could make a difference in the game of Cricket. Watch out for some Boom action from the lanky MEC players and spin wizards which make batsmen wiggling. All in all coaches and management are satisfied with the team’s efforts made during the past two months and are adamant of being the favourites of this prestigious tournament.