Cricket: Pakistan's AAN Sports beat India's Ali's Warriors to win ICLP title

AAN Sports of Pakistan won the 2nd Ali's International Cricket Premier League (ICPL) T-20 Tournament beating of by 7 wickets in the final at the R. Premadasa International Stadium. 

The finalists from two rival countries tested their might with 200+ totals, with AAN Sports led by former Pakistani Test player, Rana Naveed overcoming Ali's Warriors in style. 

Ali's Warriors, comprising top First Class Cricketers and budding youngsters, posted 203 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in 20 overs. 

AAN Sports in reply, did a perfect run chase losing just 3 wickets and with 17 deliveries to spare. 

For Ali's Warriors, Karnataka batsman Bharath Chipli set the tone scoring 94 runs, with valuable support from his opening partner Raju Bhatkal scoring 57. 

However, AAN Sports proved their mettle as worthy winners by chasing down the target in 17.1 overs, with Peshawar batsman Azam Khan and former Pakistan Test batsman Faizal Iqbal scoring half-centuries.  

In the semifinals AAN Sports beat Chilaw Marians, a Premier team from Sri Lanka, by 4 wickets, while Ali's Warriors thrashed Joy Banga convincingly by 7 wickets. 

In the first semifinal, Chilaw Marians batting first, posted 173 for 9 wickets in 20 overs. 

For Chilaw Marians, Wanindu Hasaranga hit a brisk 59 and former Sri Lanka Under-19 captain Charith Asalanka hit 56. Naveed picked 3 scalps. 

ANN Sports reached the winning target losing 6 wickets, with 7 balls to spare. 

Naeem Liaqat struck 76 in 42 balls with 7 fours and 3 sixes and Ahsan Bhatti hit a cameo 36. 

Raveen Yasas and Asitha Fernando claimed 2 wickets each. 

In the second semifinal Ali’s Warriors made minced meat out of Joy Bangla, after bundling out the Bangladeshi side for 100 runs in 19 overs. 

The winners reached their target losing just 3 wickets and with 57 balls to spare. 

The 2nd Season of the ICPL began in Colombo from January 13 at two selected venues. 

Round 1 matches were played at the P. Sara Oval, while the semifinals and the final was at the R. Premadasa Stadium. 

The final was played under lights on January 19, followed by the closing ceremony. 

The competition attracted 6 Academy teams from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Bahrain, with each team allowed to field a mixture of youth and talent. 

The teams participating were Chilaw Marians, AAN Sports, Ali’s Warriors, Joy Bangla, YCA Bahrain and Bangalore Stars. 

The much awaited 2nd Season witnessed an intense battle between these 6 teams from Cricket academies from around the world, where each team featured 6 Under-19 players, along with 5 iconic players from their respective countries. 

Former Sri Lanka Cricket captain and current Sri Lanka Cricket National Selection Committee Chairman, Sanath Jayasuriya was the Brand Ambassador of the tournament in Colombo. 

Results 

Final: AAN Sports beat Ali's Warriors by 7 wickets 
Ali’s Warriors 203 for 4 wickets (20) (Bharath Chipli 94, Raju Bhatkal 57; Rana Naveed 2/34) 
AAN Sports 206 for 3 wickets (17.1) (Azam Khan 57, Ahsan Bhatti 48 n.o., Faizal Iqbal 50 n.o.) 

1st Semifinal: AAN Sports beat Chilaw Marians by 4 wickets 
Chilaw Marians 173 for 9 wickets (20) (Wanindu Hasaranga 59, Charith Asalanka 56, Sachithra Serasinghe 27; Rana Naveed 3/13, Naeem Liaqat 3/36) 
AAN Sports 177 for 6 wickets (18.5) (Naeem Liaqat 76, Ahsan Batti 36; Asitha Fernando 2/23, Raveen Yasas 2/27) 

2nd Semifinal: Ali's Warriors beat Joy Bangla by 7 wickets 
Joy Bangla 100 all out (19.1) (Wahid Ahmed 31; Vyshak Vijayakumar 2/18, Rajan Hedge 2/18, Raju Bhatkal 2/18, Shubhang Hedge 2/19) 
Ali’s Warriors 104 for 3 wickets (10.3) (Bharat Chipli 32, Sunil Raju 43)