Riyaan start the Cyprus cricket season in style

By Richard Boxall

The cricket year in Cyprus has started with a T10 league, which sees teams playing multiple matches of 10 overs per side. This enables all teams to play regularly and get into their stride for the remainder of the season. Riyaan CC have certainly done that, moving swiftly into the quarter finals.

For this fast-paced version of the game the 12 teams have been divided into four groups of three, each team playing the others in its group twice. The results will determine the make-up of the knockout stages – quarter final, semi final and final, with the whole event to be completed over four weekends.

After the completion of two thirds of the group matches, only one team – Riyaan – is assured of a quarter final place after winning three games, and all of the other teams still have the chance to progress, depending on the remaining results.

Ten of the teams have won at least one game, and even those who are winless – Amdocs and Limassol Bangladeshis – can still advance if they succeed in their last two matches.

There have been some encouraging performances from newcomers, as well as match-winning efforts by established senior players. Limassol Zalmi (two wins from four games) have been invigorated by some new blood – Hashar Ullah, Furqan Ali and Usama have all played well. For Moufflons there were two half centuries in the same day for Mehran Khan.

Other key players who have hit half centuries are Qasim Anwar and Rehman Khan of Riyaan, Jawad Ali Shah for Qalandars and Chamal Sadun of Sri Lanka Lions.
The scene is now set for the crucial remaining group matches on Friday and Saturday, followed by the quarter finals on Sunday.

Current positions

Group A

Team Played Points

Moufflons 2 4

Nicosia Tigers 4 4

Amdocs 2 0

Group B

Team Played Points

Limassol Zalmi 4 4

Limassol Qalandars 2 2

Sri Lanka Lions 2 2

Group C

Team Played Points

Punjab Lions 2 4

Black Caps 2 2

Nicosia Fighters 4 2

Group D

Team Played Points

Riyaan 4 6

Sri Lankans 2 2

Limassol Bangladeshis 2 0