The Whitehorse Kings have captured the inaugural Yukon Muslim Society (YMS) cricket crown.

The Kings overtook the Hawks to win 63 runs (with eight wickets) to 61 runs (10 wickets).

The Hawks played 14 of 15 overs (Wickets are like outs, and overs are like innings – in cricket, six balls are thrown per over).

The Kings took 11 of 15 overs to score their runs.

The finals match took place Saturday at Christ the King Elementary School.

The third team in the tournament were the Whitehorse Hunters.

A round-robin was played Friday, which determined the two teams going through to the finals on Saturday.

Aashique Sheikh organized the event.

After the match, the Star spoke with Kings captain Akashdeep Singh.

“I’m very happy. We were considered the weaker side out of all three teams but eventually we got the cup.”

Singh was asked what the key to victory for his side was.

“I think it’s a team effort which made us win the tournament. It’s never a one-player game. There are 11 players on a team for a reason and everybody had that equal effort from our side, so I feel team effort was the key.

“Weather was playing a very important role in this. It was windy and the ball was swinging much and it was bowlers day, but both teams played well.”

Singh added, “I really like that cricket is growing in this town and thank you to YMS for organizing this event.”

Hawks captain Amanpreet Singh offered his analysis of the game.

“Initially, we didn’t bat well. We were just trying to hit the ball, rather than, we should have been waiting for a strike, but it’s part and parcel of the game.

“We were thinking we could put big score on the board, so they can feel a little bit of pressure but in the power hitting we just lost the momentum and then we lost so many wickets in the beginning overs.

“We still had a lion heart and we went to the field and we were gonna fight hard. We were just so close to the win but honestly, that’s their day. They played better than us.”

Singh lamented that his team was just two wickets away from the win.

“But still we fight hard.”

Singh added there may be another cricket tournament next month.

The Kings’ Komal Deep Singh was named Player of the Match Saturday. He scored five runs and earned four wickets (outs).

Bhupinder Singh was named the Best Bowler of the tournament.

Karan Singh was chosen for both Best Batsman and Impact player of the tournament.

“It’s amazing to be able to be a part of this team. It was tough. At the beginning, I was nervous. It’s not always that you are in form. At the end of the day, it’s a game of cricket. You don’t know what’s going to happen, so to be able to get two trophies is kind of a dream come true. I’ve never got a trophy in my life, so it’s amazing.”

Singh added, “We’ve been playing here for a long time. I’ve been batting really good, so – whenever it comes to a tournament, you don’t usually play your natural game. It’s just that you’re nervous and you don’t really perform the way you perform regularly, because you don’t have any pressure. Playing in that pressure, was my first time, so its amazing.”