Young Ashdod win the ICA Cup

Silverware returned to Ashdod for the first time in many a season, as Young Ashdod defeated Diamonds by 11 runs in a thrilling ICA Cup final played in Ashdod on Saturday. Diamonds, the third division team who caused many an upset en route to the final, found Young Ashdod one hurdle to high to overcome, despite a brave performance.

Having won the toss and elected to bat, not even four wickets from Amit Shah (4 for 26), who has been in superb form throughout the Cup, could stop Young Ashdod from reaching 206 in their 35 overs. Opening batsman Jared Solomon top scored with 39, Shai Penkar contributed 38 and Shai Gefen (21), Raymond Aston (19) and Eitan Benjamin (17) all got going.

Anish Pethani (60) played an excellent innings for Diamonds, but failed to find much support from his teammates batting in the top and middle order. Raju Shah (39), coming to the wicket with his team at 120 for 6, ensured Diamonds were always in with a chance, but they eventually fell marginally short, all out for 195. Gefen (3 for 40) returned the best figures of the Ashdod bowlers, although Danny Malyankar, Abe Aston and Raymond Aston all took 2 wickets each.

The ICA Cup final brought the curtain down on the domestic cricket season.