RIYADH, 8 February — Munawar’s fine all-round performance helped EPCA XI beat RCA XI in the key inter-city match last Friday at RCA-2 grounds. Winning the toss and electing to bat EPCA XI opener’s Talal Iqbal and Munawar started well with an opening stand of 51 runs. First to go was Talal Iqbal after scoring 24. After his departure, skipper Tariq Tanveer joined Munawar and both were involved in 115 runs partnership for the second wicket. At one stage EPCA XI were sitting pretty with score reading 161 for 2, but the introduction of Owais Ahmad changed the complexion of the game.
In one over he sent Tariq Tanveer (37) and Iqbal Bali for a duck back to pavalion. At the other end, Munawar was going great guns and he single-handedly carried EPCA XI batting scoring runs at will. His timing and footwork was excellent and treat to watch. He punished every bowlers with ease and placed his innings in a remarkable manner. His inning of 137 off 105 balls was decorated with 5 fours and one five. Chasing EPCA XI fighting score RCA XI openers Hasnain and Kashif started cautiously and took the score to 36 when Hasnain’s lost of concentration cost him his wicket. He was out caught trying to pull Rehan Ali after scoring 14. After his exit Rizwan came in but did not last long as he was brilliantly caught by Khawar in the deep off the bowling of Tariq Tanveer. At the other end, Kashif was gaining confidence and stroking the ball well. He along with Rashid Rana gave some respectability to the RCA XI total. Kashif made solid 65 with five fours while Rashid Rana scored a fine 60 with three hits to the fence and one over it. Other notable scorer’s for RCA XI were Javaid Munawar 22, Owais Ahmad 14 and Shahjahan 13. RCA XI was bowled out for 226 in 35 over thus losing the match by 43 runs. Skipper Tariq Tanveer of EPCA XI bowled well and claimed 3 wickets conceding 43 runs while Munawar took 2 for 16 and Majaz Quadri 2 for 37. The other wicket taker for EPCA XI was Rehan 1 for 58.
The inter-city matches were sponsored by Al-Amaq Contracting Co., Schineder Electric, Al-Rabie Saudi Foods Co., and Nada Juices.
Basit Butt stars in RCA youth win against EPCA youth
Abdul Basit Butt’s century guided RCA youth to a comfortable win against rival EPCA youth in the inter-city match being played on Friday at RCA-2 grounds.
Batting first after winning the toss RCA youth started badly losing Imran in the second over for just 9 runs on the board and skipper Asif when the score was 25. At the other end other opening batsman Basit Butt was in full confidence and playing excellent shots to all corners of the ground. He was associated in a huge 166 runs partnership with Jibreel Rana for the third wicket. Jibreel Rana made 63 with the help of three fours. After the fall of Jibreel’s wicket Bilal Qureshi came in and played a cameo innings of 44 in just 19 balls with two fours and three sixes. Basit Butt went on to make a brilliant 108 with the help of eight fours. With fine batting and aggressive running between the wickets by lower order bastman Iftequar (26) and Saad Osman (20 not out) RCA youth reached a formidable score of 306 for 8 in their stipulated 40 overs. Skipper Ali of ECPA youth’s shared bowling spoils with figures of 3 for 50 while Qaiser, Nadeem, Muqeem and Nabeel took one wicket e
Facing an uphill task, EPCA youth started badly losing two early wickets for just 23 runs on the board. Ali and Imran stood firm and gave respectibility to the EPCA youth total. They were involved in 66 runs Partnership. Ali made 41 while Imran contributed 43. Later batsman Sohaib played aggressive innings of 46 runs with two sixes while Nadeem contributed 13 and Nabeel 12 to the EPCA youth’s total of 229 all out in 35 over. Bilal Qureshi of RCA youth’s bowled his heart out and was rewarded with figures of 4 for 54. Talal Haider took 3 for 44 and Imran Kifayat 1 for 34. Bilal Qureshi was adjudged "Man of the Match" for his all round performance and was presented with a price by Nisar Baloch area sales manager Schneider Electric. Basit Butt was adjudged best batsman while a special price was given to Jibreel Rana.
EPCA U-17 overwhelm RCA U-17
EPCA U-17 overwhelmed RCA U-17 in the inter-city match plaed last Thursday at RCA-2 grounds. RCA U-17 skipper Nasir Khan after winning the toss invited EPCA U-17 to bat first. EPCA U-17 openers Sohaib and Asif gave their team flying start and were associated in 108 opening partnership. Sohaib made fine 52 with 5 fours and Asif contributed 40 valuable runs. There after EPCA lost two quick wickets but Ali & Ghufran consolidated and took EPCA U-17 score to a commanding position. Both were involved in an unbroken 143 runs partnership for fifth wicket. Ali hit an unbeaten 60 with the help of six fours and one six while Ghufran remained not out for an enterprising 70 with eight hits to the fence. RCA U-17 bowlers failed to impress with the exception of Sufian Saeed who took 3 wickets conceding 45 runs. The other wicket taker was Jibreel Rana with figures of 1 for 35. EPCA U-17 scored 282 for 4 in their stipulated 40 overs.
Chasing a difficult but attainable target, RCA U-17 started cautiously with Adnan and Talha playing safe. Adnan fell LBW after making 14 and Talha got out at his individual score of 32 runs. After that wickets fell at regular intervals and RCA U-17 could not register a big partnership. Skipper Nasir Khan fought a lone battle with a solid knock of 70 with 8 fours. Later some useful contributions from Jibreel Rana 21, Saad Osman 25 and Nabeel 17 was not enough to save RCA U-17 from defeat. RCA U-17 innings folded for 253 in 36 overs. For EPCA U-17 Muqeem bowled his off spinners well and claimed 3 wickets for 35 runs.
The other wicket-takers were Asif 3 for 27, Ali 2 for 47. Hassan and Nabil took one wicket each giving away 17 and 22 runs respectively. Ali was adjudged "Man of the Match" and was presented with a price by Nisar Baloch Area Sales Manager Schneider Electric.
RCA Ex-Com triumph over EPCA Ex-Com
RCA Ex-Com got the better of EPCA Ex-Com in the inaugural executive committee’s 20 over match at RCA-1 ground. Batting first after winning the toss EPCA Ex-com managed 132 in 18 over with their start batsman and president EPCA Ex-Com Syed Aftab contributing solid 44 Naved Khan 25, Tahir 14 and Arif Butt 11. RCA Ex-com’s Fazal-ur-Rehman took 3/19 and Raza-ur-Rehman 1/22. In reply RCA Ex-Com romped home in 16 over losing 4 wickets.
Asif Saleem played a fine innings of 34 runs and was well supported by Aslam Sheikh 27 and Fazal-ur-Rehman 24. Ahsan Raza made 11. EPCA Ex-com’s Syed Aftab and Farhat took one wicket each conceding 25 and 17 runs respectively. Asif Saleem was adjudged Man of the Match for his fine innings.
Special prices were awarded to Fazal ur-Rehman (best bowler), Syed Taqiuddin (best Wicket keeper), umpires — Rehan Khan, Raza Khan, Akhtar, Abu Fahim and Sohail – scorer’s Omair, Nazeer and Ahmad Badshah — Jamil Ahmad and Muhammad. Waqas for ground maintenance. For the first time in the history of Saudi Arabian cricket hard working RCA sub-committee member Hanif Baber made a special stage for the presentation ceremony. He won praise from everybody including EPCA Ex-com for his excellent and dedicated work.
Latafat bowls RCA President XI to win over EPCA President XI
Latafat bowled RCA President XI to facile victory over EPCA President XI in the key inter-city match last Thursday at RCA-1 ground.
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, RCA President XI’s opening pair Muhammad Owais and Javeed started in whirlwind fashion and took the opening stand to 108. At this juncture Muhammad Owais lost his wicket after making fine 51 with the help of six fours. Skipper Sajjad failed to reach double figures and was out LBW. At the other end after making 41 runs Javeed lost his concentration and gave a simple catch trying to pull a short delivery from Nayeem.
RCA President XI later batsman fail to capitalize on the start and wickets fell at regular intervals. Late in the innings due to some lusty hitting and aggressive running between the wickets by Mustafa Butt (34), Farhan (39) Asad Ali (23) and Sohail Bakshi (18 n.o.) took RCA president XI score to respectable 266 all out. For EPCA President XI Ather took 3 wickets conceding 47 runs while Sadaqat, Nayeem and Omer took 2 wickets each giving away 36, 44 and 42 runs respectively.
Chasing the attainable target EPCA President XI started badly losing Sadaqat very early. The other opening batsman Ameen and one drop Akhter played sensibly, applied themselves to the situation and took the score to 94. Both of them got out in quick succession. Ameen scored fine 50 with the help of five fours while Akhter contributed 36.
Later batsman Mehboob (35), Qayyum (36) and Shahjahan (22) steadied the innings but was not enough to prevent EPCA President XI from defeat. EPCA President XI was restricted to 246 for 9 in stipulated 40 overs. Left arm spinner Latafat bowled well and bagged 4 wickets giving away 44 runs. Jamil Khan took 3 for 45 while Muhammad Owais and Farhan took one wicket each giving away 38 and 24 runs respectively. Later the two umpires Subramanyam and Raza Khan adjudged Muhammad Owais as man-of-the-match and was presented "Umhah" ticket by Shamshad Ali Siddiqui, managing director, Al-Amaq Contracting Co. Also, a special prize was given to Latafat for best bowling.
