JEDDAH, 12 April — Kanoo Group lifted the 5th Kanoo Inter-Division Cricket Cup in Jeddah with an easy 7 wickets win over Kanoo Travel. Although the final was expected to be a keen tussle like the previous year in which Travel won by 8 runs, this year Group made early inroads into the Travel lineup from which the latter did not recover thanks to some intelligent bowling by Group skipper Ayub Karkal who bowled a good line and length to pick up 4 for 26 and the Man-of the-Finals award. Travel were restricted to 124 for 7 in 20 overs and Group knocked off the runs scoring 125 for 3 in 16.5 overs.
Kanoo Travel started off slowly as their openers tried to set their eye in. In the bargain they consumed too many overs and in 5 overs they were only 24 for no loss. In an tempt to break the shackles put by the Group bowlers who bowled a tight line and length, they started losing wickets at regular intervals. Ayub bowled a superb spell and had the batsmen on their toes as he picked up a wicket in each of his three overs spell, Travel batsmen played some irresponsible strokes and were soon reduced to 72 for 6 in 13 overs before Selmi Cassim batted sensibly to build up the innings and along with Arif (13) who gave him good support, the two put on 47 runs for the 7th wicket before he was bowled for a well made 42 on the 1st ball of the last over by Ayub who ended with figures of 4 for 26. Hari chipped in with 2 for 5 and Dinesh took 1 for 35. Travel ended at 124 for 7 in 20 overs, a modest total for the strong Group lineup.
In reply, Kanoo Group lost an early wicket in the 2nd over — a needless run out. However, Yunus and Ayub built up the score picking ones and twos with an occasional boundary. With the score at 61 Ayub was beautifully caught by skipper Rashid off Nayar’s first ball for 14 after he had hit a six in the previous over. Oliver joined Yunus and the two continued the same tempo till Yunus was leg before for a brilliant 45 with 5 fours. Oliver remained till the end with an unbeaten 33 runs and Group reached their target in 16.5 overs scoring 125 for 3. Aslam and Nayar picked up a wicket each for 31 and 12 runs respectively as Group won the coveted Kanoo Inter Division Cup handsomely to settle scores with Travel who beat them last year.
The prize distribution ceremony was held at the ground where the Area Manager of Kanoo Group, Western Province, Cees Van Vark appreciated the tournament organized for the benefit of employees as a good way to boost their morale and bring the employees together on one platform. He confirmed the management’s support in future for such events. Muzzzaza Al Ghamdi the Personnel and Public Relations Manager also appreciated the efforts taken by the organizers to organize such events and hoped that one day he will understand and play the game also.
Cees Van Vark then distributed the awards to the winners, runners-up, Consolation Cup and individual performance awards.
Award List:
Winners - Kanoo Group, Runners-up - Kanoo Travel, Consolation Cup - Kanoo Commercial
Best Batsman - Oliver (Group)
Best Bowler & Best All Rounder - Ayub Karkal (Group)
Fastest Fifty - Selmi Cassim (Travel)
Highest Catches - A. A. Merchant (Finance)
Man-of-the-Finals - Ayub Karkal (Group)
Service Award - Syed rashid & Kumar Krishnan.
