AUS Leopards tie for first at Durham University cricket tournament

A 16-member cricket team from AUS participated in the Durham CCC University Cricket tournament in Newcastle, UK, from May 6 to 10, 2015. Two T20 matches were played in the Durham County Cricket Ground against Durham University. AUS and Durham University shared the trophy with a 1-1 win each. Mohammed Umar and Faizan Aqeel Rahim of AUS were selected as the best batsman and best bowler of the tournament, respectively.

A 30-over exhibition match also was played in the Middlesbrough Cricket Club ground between the AUS Leopards and a combined team of Middlesbrough Club and Teesside University on May 8. The match was originally scheduled as a 40-over game but was reduced to 30 overs due to the bad climatic conditions. AUS cricketers fell short of the target set by the club team batsmen.

The tour enabled the AUS cricketers to compete in diverse climatic conditions. The men displayed good teamwork, fine batting and disciplined bowling throughout the series. Faizan Aqeel Rahim took four wickets in the first T20 match against Durham University and was declared Man of the Match.

Dr. Mohamed Helal, Director of Student Athletics and Recreation Department, accompanied the team as the head of the delegation along with the coach, VC James.

A city tour was arranged to Edinburgh, Scotland, on May 9 by the organizers, and the team was able to visit some historic sites.

Dr. Moza Al Shehhi, Dean of Students, congratulated the team for the successful tour and said, "Athletic competitions with such renowned universities overseas will open gates to cooperate with them in exchanging ideas, cultural interaction and exchange of knowledge in diverse fronts."