By Scott Roblin

Back-to-back cricket tournament wins for Punjab Kings

Aug 28, 2017 | 11:54 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The Medicine Hat Cricket Association continued to grow their sport over the weekend with their largest tournament yet.

Four teams competed at Southland Park over the two-day tournament, including a visiting squad from Lethbridge.

In the finals on Sunday evening, it was a rematch of July’s city tournament championship between the Punjab Kings and the Kerala Cobras.

Tempers flared at times during the match, with Punjab capturing their second straight tournament victory over Kerala by nine wickets.

It’s been a breakout season for the Punjab side, with a handful of players on the team previously representing Canada’s national U-19 team.

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Medicine Hat Cricket Association president Imran Ahmed said the team’s versatility is what sets them apart.

“Overall, if you compare the Punjab team with other teams, they’ve got so many ‘all-arounders’ who can bat and who can bowl at the same time.”

While Punjab has been the cream of the crop in Medicine Hat, the growing Kerala team has also earned praise for their bowling and defensive abilities.

More international cricket players are also expected to join the local program once classes resume at Medicine Hat College.

Ahmed said at the pace of the club’s current growth, cricket teams from Alberta’s major cities could be playing in Medicine Hat as early as next year.

“We’re also intending to bring City of Edmonton and City of Calgary’s teams,” said Ahmed. “Hopefully next year, we’ll bring three or four teams from Lethbridge and two or three teams from Calgary and Edmonton.”

There is the chance for one more tournament before the end of the summer for the local club, which will be dependant on scheduling and funding.