After an extended break from the final league matches before the month of Ramadan, last Sunday North Cyprus’ best two cricket sides, the Cyprus Lions and A1 Cyprus met in the Creditwest Men’s final held at Ozanköy Stadium. Both sides had reached the final after beating the other 8 sides who had competed in two leagues held during the spring months.

Conventionally with T20 cricket, sides winning the toss bat second to know the total they need to chase. So A1 Cyprus were delighted to be able to insert the reigning champions Cyprus Lions. After restricting the first 10 overs to only 68 runs, they lost some of their focus as the Lions smashed 137, at nearly 14 an over, in the second half of their innings to reach a formidable 205 after 20 overs. When asked, captain Osman Yousaf was humble saying it possibly wasn’t enough, but few in the crowd believed him.

In reply, A1 Cyprus never really looked in the game, wickets fell easily, but runs were very hard to come by. By the end, the Cyprus Lions were totally dominate and nobody could complain about the result.

Afterwards, TRNC Cricket Chairman Nigel Holman, was presented with a commemorative plaque by umpire Raja Sohail, who explained if it hadn’t been for Nigel’s huge contribution, cricket in North Cyprus wouldn’t exist.

Summer Cricket - There will be a small informal league during the summer, which won’t include the university sides who are mostly away from the island at this time, with the full Creditwest Autumn League commencing again at the end of September.

If you are already living in North Cyprus and would like to play in the next league, or indeed enter a team, please drop a line to tajammal20@gmail.com

PHOTO - Cyprus Lion's captain Imran Bajwa with the Creditwest trophy