Elites get a clean sweep in the shorter version of the game

Elites were fortunate to face the same premier division final opponent Gujarat in the T20 final. But this time around they kept it cool and went on to winning the final comfortably. Elites domination throughout the season came to a sad end when they lost the premier division final to experienced Gujarat a week before the T20 final. Fortunately they had the chance to redeem themselves in a week and took full advantage of it. Gujarat who won the toss and decided to bat first, managed a modest total of 135 in twenty overs. Once again Nilesh Patel rose to the occasion with a fine knock of 49. Gujarat's intention was pretty clear from the very beginning; they opened with the Srilankan duo Gavin and Sampath expecting to give them an explosive start. Gavin popped one high in the air in the first over of Adnan's. Nafiz managed to hold onto the catch after juggling it for five or six times which created some tension around the ground. Danger man Sampath felt to Nafiz for the fifth time in the season for 19 runs. Nilesh came at number three and stabled the innings for a little bit with Amit. But Elites bowling and fielding was a little too much for them to handle this time. Once Nilesh was run out on a misunderstanding with Amit; Elites took full control of the game. Gujarat missed their veteran Demian in the middle orders who did not play for some unknown reason. At the end they managed to put up a score of 135 in twenty overs. Nafiz ended up with 4 for 26 to become the highest wicket taker in the 2008 T20 competition. He was well supported by Senthil and Asim?s economical spells.

Elites opened their innings in the same explosive manner. Big hitting Kaizar and Salman took onto the Gujarat attack from the very first over. Kaizar hit a big six on Mattu and scored a quick fired 37 and ended up as the highest aggregate run scorer in the T20 competition. Salman hit 24 in no time. After the explosive start it was hard for Gujarat to come back in this game. Elites raced to 60 in six overs. Gujat might thought they had a little chance when they got Kaizar and Salman in quick succession but in-form Ahzum(26) and steady batting from Nafiz(26) made sure Elites do not miss out in this final. At the end Elites lost few wickets to give a glorious ending to the T20 final. They reached the target in 19.1 overs loosing six wickets.

In the other final (Howe Cup) Elites completely out classed Rising Star B. Rising Star B did enjoy some forfeited games and played well to reach the final but found it too hard to compete against the dominant premier division team. In the first semi final Rising Star B beat Combined School comfortably. In the second semi final Elites did had the pleasure to play Gujarat again where they scored a massive 195 in twenty overs. Gujarat felt short by 93 runs. In the final, Rising Star B won the toss and understandably decided to bat first. Elites bowlers were on top of Rising Star B from the very first ball. None of the batsman got settled in there. At the end they managed to score only 94 losing all ten wickets in their allotted twenty overs. Elites bowlers did not give away a single boundary in twenty overs which goes on to show the massive difference in depth between a premier and first division team in E&DCL. On their reply Kaizar and Salman started the innings in the same explosive style. Kaizar(4) failed to put up a good score beside his name as he felt cheaply to Shahrukh. Aqeel went in number three and had a good partnership with in-form Salman. Salman made a quick 25 and gave his wicket away trying one his well known acrobatic cricket shots. Aqeel(18) looked good out there, clearing the boundary comfortably in several occasions straight down the ground but was a victim of misunderstanding with Nafiz in the middle. But Elites's upcoming young star Yassob(19) made a good partnership with Nafiz(18*) and chased down the Rising Star B total in thirteen overs.
Even though Elites won the T20 and Howe Cup they will still mourn the premier division final loss to Gujarat. It will be treat to watch them playing against Gujarat next year as they have built up a rivalry against each other throughout this season. Hats off to Elites for a wonderful second season in a row; they have raised the bar in their first two years of premier division exposure but the question still remains; if they have the nerve to win much wanted premier division title? With Scona merging into premier division we are on for an exciting season next year in premier division. Teams like Millwoods, Gujarat, Scona and Elites will make the premier division cricket in Edmonton extremely competitive where anyone can go on to win the title.