Rizvi Springfield lifts 12th Harris Shield trophy

Rizvi Springfield (Bandra) team celebrated their 17-run win over defending champions Al-Barkaat MMI (Kurla) in the Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA) Harris Shield Under-16 Elite Division final by grooving to the West Indian all-rounder Dwayne ‘DJ' Bravo's song ‘Champion' at Azad Maidan yesterday.

Chasing 207 for victory, Al-Barkaat bowled out for 189.

Rizvi Springfield (Bandra) celebrate their win over Al-Barkaat MMI (Kurla) in the Harris Shield final at Azad Maidan yesterday. Pics/Atul Kamble

Twelfth title
Rizvi bagged their 12th Harris Shield title in 16 years.

To the Bandra school's surprise, Al-Barkaat's last wicket pair of Satyendra Yadav (11 not out) and Rajesh Sardar (13) put on a fight to delay the win as they played on for over five overs, before leg-spinner Yashasvi Jaiswal had Rajesh caught at slip by Aakash Yadav.

Rizvi Springfield players grove to the tune of 'Champion'

Rajesh, who is Al-Barkaat's highest wicket-taker with 35 scalps, surprised even his coach Nafees Khan, hitting two boundaries in his 24-ball knock before getting out.

Al-Barkaat's pair managed to add 20 runs to their overnight total of 169-9.

The moment Yashasvi got Rajesh's wicket, the team congratulated each other and then gathered near the Sassanian CC ground gate and started singing and dancing to the Champion song.

Clean sweep
According to Rizvi coach Raju Pathak, Rizvi has made a clean sweep of titles across all age groups on the inter-school circuit this season - Bhaskar Thakur Memorial U-12 tournament, U-14 Worli Cup, Bhaghubhai Khichadia-Khar Gymkhana U-16 cricket tournament, MSSA Giles Shield (U-16), MSSA Harris Shield (U-16), District Sports Office (DSO) U-14 district, zone and state, DSO U-16 district, zone and state, Vinoo Mankad under-16 state cricket tournament.

Rs 51,000 reward
Rizvi Education society president Dr AH Rizvi and secretary of Rizvi Education Society Abis Rizvi decided to reward the Harris Shield and Giles Shield-winning teams a cash prize of R51,000 each for their efforts.

"Our school won all the other age group titles this year and this title was crucial for us. When Al-Barkaat dismissed us for 159 in the second innings, our assistant coach Salil Babar Desai gave us a pep talk and told us to not lose hope and play like champions. Hence, the song was apt for the celebrations," said Rizvi skipper Shoaib Siddique.

Meanwhile, Al-Barkaat coach seemed satisfied with the team's performance despite the loss.

"Our title hopes were pinned on the last batting pair of Satyendra and Rajesh. I was surprised to see Rajesh hit two boundaries. We will work hard and come back strong next year," said Khan.

Brief scores
Rizvi Springfield (Bandra) 210 & 159 (Shoaib Siddique 56; Meer Rizvi 6-49) beat
Al-Barkaat MMI (Kurla) 163 & 189 (Faiz Rathod 50, Altamash Khan 36; Shreyans Bogar 4-78, Yashasvi Jaiswal 4-43) by 17 runs