Sharjah Cricket Crowned U14 World Junior League Champions

Sharjah Cricket clinched the U14 World Junior League title after a commanding 72-run victory over Seattle Sonics in the finals held in Dubai. 

Batting first, Sharjah posted a formidable total of 223 for 9 in their 20 overs. The innings was powered by explosive performances from Shariq Lakdawala, who smashed 57 off just 19 balls, and Fathur Rehman, who contributed a rapid 45 from 17 balls. Jaimeek Shah added 31 off 18, setting the tone early in the match.

In reply, Seattle Sonics could only manage 151 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. Despite valiant efforts from Prahladh Badrenarayan (34 off 28) and Dhruv Gorintla (23 off 16), the Sonics struggled to match the scoring pace. Anubhav Krishna was the standout performer with the ball for Seattle, taking four wickets for just 29 runs.

Other top performers from the tournament included Izzan Abbas of Melbourne Lions (29* off 31) and Harry Walker of North England Warriors, who picked up 3 wickets for 19 runs.

WJL has positioned itself as a groundbreaking initiative for youth cricket development. Unlike traditional youth tournaments, it follows a franchise model similar to major professional leagues, providing players with a structured, high-competition environment. 

The league has emerged as a key platform for youth cricket, structured around a global franchise model. The U14 tournament, which was held from April 7th to 15th, featured elite young talent from around the world. Upcoming age-group competitions are scheduled throughout the year, with the U12 event set for April 17th–21st in Spain, and U16 and U18 tournaments planned for October in the UAE.