JEDDAH, 17 May — Jeddah inter-school Under-15 crickete tournament organized by JCL and sponsored by Saudi Gazette, has been entered into quarterfinal stage.
In the last round of group matches, Pakistan International School (Urdu Section) crushed Manarat School by 10 wickets and grabbed the biggest win of the day. Jeddah Prep opened their victory account by beating Continental School in a close contest. Pakistan International (English Section) confirmed their place in the quarterfinals after defeating Hala International by 5 wickets. Indian School remained undefeated in its group matches.
An inspirational bowling by Pakistan Int. (Urdu Section) put Manarat into a real shock. The devastating spell of Owais who claimed 3 wickets for only 6 runs in his 3 overs spell virtually knocked down the top order batting lineup of Manarat School. Continued to look dangerous, Pakistan bowlers Asad (2 for 9) and Sabih (2 for 14) bowled with extreme accuracy and picked the remaining lower order wickets.
Facing a fierce bowling attack, Manarat batsmen were never comfortable throughout the innings. Their biggest disappointment came when none of their players reached to double figure and were all out for 57 runs.
In reply, Pakistan School scored 58 runs needed for a win in just 5 overs without loosing any wicket. Hasanat smashed Manarat bowlers all around the wicket scoring an unbeaten 35 runs in only 18 deliveries.
In Group D, Jeddah Prep lifted their spirit when they recorded a long awaited victory over Continental School. Bating first, Jeddah Prep scored a fighting total of 159 runs in 20 overs. Openers Abbas and Owais were in excellent form as they put up a partnership of 102 runs in just 11.2 overs. Abbas was first to leave after scoring 40 runs when an excellent throw ended his innings. Owais fell to Kasim at the total of 131. He scored 47 runs before being stumped by Ghussan Khan. Continental team never looked back thereafter. Kasim and Saad destroyed Jeddah Prep’s middle and lower-order batting picking 3 wickets each for just 13 and 21 runs.
Continental went on battle with equal strength. Yousaf and Kasim scored 22 each and put an opening partnership of 47. Ryan hit 37 runs in 18 deliveries with Saad 25 and Hassan 15 supporting him during the innings. Their efforts went in vain when Jeddah Prep bowlers contained the last overs and won the match by 6 runs. Owais took 2 wickets for 30 rusn.
In a tough encounter between Indian Int. School and Saad Bin Abi Waqas to decide No. 1 position in Group C, Indian School picked the winning spot.
Saad Abi Waqas posted 148 runs in 20 overs. In-formed Hussain Bhatti scored 36 runs with the help of 4 boundaries. Ahmed Bilal unbeaten on 35 played another encouraging innings and propped the score towards end. Aiman 17 and Ehtesham 19 were the other notable batsmen. Rumeez claimed 3 wickets for 23 runs.
Mudassar with a superb knock of 54 defied the Saad Bin Abi Waqas attack and put Indians on the road of victory. He reached his half-centaury in just 31 balls steering 3 consecutive deliveries to the fence in one over. An excellent throw ended his innings in the same over. Ahmad 36 also lost his wicket in the next over and it looked like Indians had a mountain to climb. They won the match in 19th over after loosing 8 wickets.
Pakistan International School-Jeddah (PISJ) outclassed Al Hala International by 5 wickets. Al Hala batting first were all out for 124 runs in 19. 5 overs. Hassan 38, Khizer 13, Shahzeb 16 and Fuzail 13 were the main scorers.
In reply, PISJ completed the task easily when they scored 129 in 16 overs for the loss of 5 wickets. Imran and Sohail laid the foundation by scoring 35 and 46 runs in their opening stand.
