Yorkshire showed why they are defending champions with a 13-run victory over Lancashire to retain the Emirates Airline Twenty20 title.
Teenage left-arm spinner Karl Carver was the stand-out bowler with 2-17 as Lancashire fell short of their 133-run chase.
It was a memorable day for Carver, who took three wickets in Yorkshire’s 13-run win over the MCC in the semi-final.
Batting first at The Dubai Sevens Stadium, Yorkshire were restricted to 132-8 in their 20 overs with Lancashire’s George Edwards, whose three scalps included top-scorer Gary Ballance (46).
It was a good total by the Division One champions after captain Alex Lees and Adam Lyth had put on 20 for the opening wicket.
After Lyth was removed, Ballance joined the crease and along with Lees, the pair frustrated their opponent with a 51-run stand for the third wicket.
Kyle Jarvis, who had removed Andy Hodd earlier, was again involved in another wicket for Ashley Giles side with the 27-year-old catching Lees’ effort after Arron Lilley’s delivery.
Lancashire got back into the contest with Jack Leaning (12) run-out. And that sparked a batting collapse with Yorkshire losing four batsmen for 11 runs.
Steven Patterson’s 14-run knock, including two boundaries did help them reach a challenging total.
Chasing, Alex Davies and Luis Reece gave the T20 English champions a good start with 35 on the board.
Will Rhodes soon got out Davies, before Carver struck twice in his first over.
After 10 overs, Lancashire were 68-3. With the game still in the balance, Ashley Giles’ men lost further ground with Liam Livingstone caught off Rhodes before left-arm seamer James Wainman had Steven Croft caught.
Wainman striked again to trap Luke Procter LBW with the score reading 96-6. Yorkshire then gained the momentum with Jordan Clarke and Stephen Parry falling with the defending champions wrapping up victory.
Lees was overwhelmed with the victory. “I think who ever played today was all outstanding,” said the 22-year-old. “We have to give credit to the bowlers and had to give credit to a number of guys and they really stepped up.”
Earlier in the semi-final, Yorkshire overcame the MCC, led by Ian Bell. Lees top-scored with 47 off 34 balls while Gary Balance’s unbeaten 43, saw Yorkshire score 155.
In reply, the MCC were restricted to 142. Ian Bell did not do much damage with the bat with 14 runs but were encouraged with Tom Wesley, who top-scored with 46.
Earlier, Lancashire overcame a spirited UAE side by one-run in a closely-fought encounter. All-rounder Rohan Mustafa took three wickets as Lancashire managed 145-7.
It seemed the UAE were on course victory especially after Laxman Sreekumar’s half-century. But Kyle Jarvis took two wickets in the final over as the hosts fell short.