JEDDAH, 5 April — Saudia Milk defeated Traco Green by 3 wickets with 2 balls to spare in the final of the 13th Kanoo Cup to wrest the title for the 6th time. It was one of the most exciting final in recent time in JCL where the pendulum swung from one team to another and Traco Green almost pulled it up to spring a surprise but in the end it was the experience of Saudia Milk who have passed through such finals many a time. This year Traco Green sprung many a surprise with their young team, even in the finals they scored 279 for 7 but in the end Saudia Milk after a spirited fightback, finally made it with 281 for 7 in 34.4 overs.
Traco Green lost opener Shehzad cheaply with the score at 3 but Nasar in company of Kaleem took the score to 91 scoring at will. Both paced their innings with good running between the wickets and some superb placements to the fence. Nasar scored 67 off 61 balls and Kaleem chipped in with 44 off 43 balls. After Kaleem’s departure, it was Baber all the way.
Nasar and Baber put on 59 for the 3rd wicket before Nasar was dismissed. Baber rose to the occasion and singlehandedly took his team to a commanding position. Initially he scored his runs in singles and two’s till the 29th over with the score at 190 for 3 and was given good company by Irfan who scored 24 to help him add 83 runs for the 4th wicket.
Replying to an imposing score of 279, Saudia Milk started positively as Javed and Amer went for the kill from the word go, 14 coming of the 2nd over with Javed hoisting a six and a four, Amer complimented at the other end in the 3rd over with 2 fours and a six before he was trapped at 32 — leg before to Faisal for 15 off 7 balls. Javed left at 64 with his score at 19 and was followed by Imran who chipped in with a quick 26 off 22 balls. Skipper Anees and Arif steadied the boat with some sensible batting. Faisal picked up 3 for 44 as Saudia Milk ended at 281 for 7 in 34.4 overs.
Saudia Milk down Mahmood Saeed as Traco Green overrun Traco to set up final clash
Saudia Milk overcame Mahmood Saeed with a thrilling 3-wicket win over Mahmood Saeed whereas Traco Green overran its sister team Traco by 95 runs in the semifinals of the Kanoo Cup organized by JCL.
This is first time the Traco Green has entered final.
Mahmood Saeed scored 238 for 8 in 35 overs. Rashid Butt (26), Irfan (21) and Kashif (30) made useful contributions but it was Farooq who with an unbeaten 61 inclusive of 3 sixes and 4 fours and Wajahat (37) who rallied Mahmood Saeed to a fighting score of 238 for 8.
In reply, Saudia Milk lost an early wicket but Javed and Imran (50) batted sensibly to take their team to a strong position but then wickets started falling at regular intervals and soon the Milkmen were reeling at 139 for 6.
However, T. Amir with an unbeaten 49, Shaker with 36 and Iftekhar using the long handle to good effect remained unbeaten at 26 to give Saudia Milk a win at 242 for 7 in 33.5 overs and an entry to the finals.
Traco Green gave their sister team a good run for their money defeating them comfortably by 95 runs. Traco Green scored 273 and bundled out Traco for 178.
In reply, Traco never really got going as they lost wickets at regular intervals to some good bowling by Irfan (Jr.) who took 3 for 31 and was supported by Irfan (Sr.), Nasir and Faisal who picked up 2 each. Only Khalid Butt (35) and Fiaz (46) batted with confidence, the rest caved in to give Traco Green a win by 95 runs.
