JEDDAH, 1 February — Jeddah Cricket League tournament sponsored by Kanoo Group, in the second division witnessed eight matches, in the ninth week KAIA overcame Hempel Paints challenge with 2 overs to spare. Afkar Promo7 win by a whisker against Saudi Perfume. Saudia City humble Saudi General Insurance, Saudia Majestique get a walk over against IISJ and Sadafco trounced Ali Reza.
At the Hempel Paints ground, host Hempel lost to KAIA in spite of making a challenging score of 161 for 5 in the allotted 18 overs. Hempel won the toss and elected to bat. They had a splendid 110 runs opening wicket partnership between Muneeb Hasan (42) and Khusro (44) when both of them were run out. Coming one down Arif Hashmy (32 n.o.) held one end while three more batsmen went to pavilion including another run out. KAIA opener Tahir started with aggression and batted well to score 64 runs. In the middle order Akhter (36 n.o.) and Khalid (24 n.o.) kept the run rate in sight and with nearly 2 overs still to go they comfortably reached the target making 162 for the loss of three wickets and an impressive 7 wicket triumph for KAIA. Arif Hashmy took 2 wickets for 32.
At the Zuhair Zahran ground, it was a seasaw match between Afkar Promo7 and Saudi Perfume in which Afkar Promo7 emerged victorious in a nail biting finish. Saudi Perfume took first strike after winning the toss and scored 137 for 7 in 20 overs. Wahaj (39) was the only batsmen to show determination to stay at the wicket. Azhar 2 for 27, Nabil 2 for 15 and Majid 2 for 21 were successful with the ball. In reply, Afkar Promo7 were given a tough fight and could manage to over take Saudi Perfume with just one ball to go. Afkar opener Ali made 22 runs while other batsmen performed equally as their opponents and did not stay at the wicket to build any significant partnership. Afkar Promo7 scored 139 for 7 in 19.5 overs. Wahaj 2 for 25 and Naveed 2 for 18 were amongst the wickets. Thus a thrilling 3 wicket win for Afkar Promo7.
At the Otis ground, Saudia City came out triumphant against SGI. Batting first SGI put up a fighting score of 153 for 5 in the allotted 18 overs. Tariq (48), Anees (22) and Abdul Rab 27 not out were the main run-getters. Junaid took 3 wickets for 25. In reply Saudia City opener Qassim was in aggressive mood, he tore apart the SGI bowling attack to hammer an unbeaten 114 runs.
At the Eskan 3 ground, Ali Reza were defeated by Sadafco. Ali Reza batted first and scored 149 for 4 in the allotted 18 overs. Openers Ghazanfar (58) and Raza (33) gave a sound 105 runs opening wicket partnership. Hassan coming 2 down made 20.
