It's just the second year that the Al-Barkaat MMI English School (Kurla) participated in the Giles Shield Plate Division. On the second attempt, they won the U-14 inter-school title defeating St Xavier's Boys (Marine Lines) by an innings and 489 runs at the Azad Maidan yesterday.

The team comprises kids coming from humble backgrounds, but their hunger for success helped them carve a niche for themselves. Their coach Nafees Khan is proud of his boys' achievement. "Two years ago, we didn't even have a complete team, with just one or two players who used to understand the game.

Even this year we had just a couple of players who could play well. So the efforts that I put in for last two years paid off," Khan said. In his opinion, three playersu00a0-- Moin Khan (209), Mohd Monis (198) and Arslan Khan (15 wickets in the final)u00a0-- made the difference. But the coach is aware that they need to raise the bar if they want to achieve success in the Elite Division next season.

"Our school came into existence in 2006 and we formed our team in 2010. In two years, we have won the plate division final. My boys are capable and have the desire to win. I am sure we will work hard to achieve success in Elite Division as well," Nafees told MiD DAY.