The Cambridge High School continue dominance in Abu Dhabi interschool tournament

Shivank Vijaykumar and Moaaz Qazi score fifties as Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Pakistan School are beaten in final.

David East, chief executive of Emirates Cricket Board, fourth from left, poses with The Cambridge High School. East has reiterated schools cricket is crucial to the development of the game. Amith PassShow more

ABU DHABI // UAE hopefuls Shivank Vijaykumar and Moaaz Qazi both hit half centuries as The Cambridge High School retained their stranglehold on the Abu Dhabi interschool tournament.

The pair, who are in contention for a place in the UAE squad for next year's Under 19 World Cup hosted in the country, featured in an unbeaten 81-run in their team's six-wicket win over Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Pakistan School in the final at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.

Vijyakumar hit five fours and three sixes in a top score of 58 not out in 42 deliveries and Qazi's 39-ball 55 not out was highlighted by eight boundaries as they passed the Pakistan School's score of 145 for eight with their score of 147 for four.

The Pakistan School had chosen to bat after winning the toss and they made a good start to their innings, before Sahal Baji, who had initially proved expensive, provided the breakthrough when he had Ahmed ur Rehman caught at long off for a breezy 51.

Rehman faced 38 balls and hit eight fours, and shared a 10-over 84-run opening stand with Simon Charles.

They were 107 for one in 15 overs when Bilal Passela took two wickets in two deliveries, including Charles for 41, to stem the run flow and restrict Pakistan School's total, which did not prove enough in the face of the big hitting of Vijaykumar and Qazi.

Peter Lugg, the Principal of Cambridge High School, said: "I am very, very proud of our lads as are the supporters.

"Hopefully it is a learning experience for us and the students where we can cement relationships with the other schools. That's the whole point of sport, making friends."

David East, the chief executive of the Emirates Cricket Board, said he was "absolutely committed to strengthening and growing" the interschool tournament for 2014.

"From my point of view school cricket is crucial for the ongoing development and I want to see it go strength to strength," he said.

"There is an enormous amount of talent in this country and we just want to ensure we nurture and develop them in the best way we can."

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