DZCC take series after Aveer washout

It's not how Dasthakir Mohammed would have wanted to lead DZCC to a bit of history, but he'll gladly take it after runs forced the two 15 overs matches at Aveer to be abandoned and handed the tourists their first limited-overs series victory in National Day Tour - 09.As well as their first 15 overs success in the Aveer, DZCC have also become just the second team to beat ROTHMANS CC on home ground in a bilateral 15 overs series after LANKAN BOYS managed it twice. That is a notable achievement for Dastha and Players considering that a little over two months ago they were turned over 2-1 by LANKAN BOYS.

"It's a big step forward for the group," Dastha said. "To be only the second team to win out here is an achievement to be proud of. The players had to buy into trying to play a slightly more attacking brand of cricket and at the same time to up our fielding and to be more consistent with the ball. "I think the guys have enjoyed having the shackles taken off them to a certain extent. A lot of our cricket over the last few years has been played like men under a lot of pressure. A lot of the players were under pressure, playing for their places and because the results weren't very good."It's encouraging to know we are going in the right direction but I'd be the last person to say we're the finished article."

DZCC's 3-0 victory against ROTHMANS at Dubai last year is often pulled out when talking about impressive performances, but that was against a visiting side that had achieved their main target of a National Day Tour - 09 victory and were ready to go home. This time there were early points to be scored - that's the advantage of holding the and DZCC have done more than enough to quieten the hosts who were quite happy to make some bombastic statements in the build-up. The hosts certainly haven't lived up to the hype."Our next series is in International City (INTERCONTINEL HOTEL CC) where the [2010] UAE Cup is going to be played," Arafath Mohammed said. "Hopefully by then we will have a fully-fit squad and a squad which has developed from here. "There's a break now and there will be a few new faces in our squad," he added. "The last one year have been really terrific for us in club cricket and we want to carry it on. DZCC have an winning squad so it bodes well for a good series."