JEDDAH, 24 May — Fine individual performances by Zafar (168 n.o.), Ibrahim (5 for 30 ) and Siraj Khan (4 for 23) were the highlights of the Zuhier Zahran’s superb win by 231 runs over Toshiba in the 4th week of the Al Rabie Pulz League sponsored by Al Rabie Foods and organized by JCL. In the other match, Traco Green, Mahmood Saeed and Traco recorded impressive wins against their respective opponents while Traco Green derfeated SGB Barrom by 9 runs, Mahmood Saeed scored a 101 runs win over IDB and Traco crushed Young Athlete by 7 wickets.
Zafar, Ibrahim and Siraj were the toast of Zuhier Zahran as their superb individual performances combined into a record win for their team who recorded their highest total of 328 for 3 and bundled out Toshiba for a paltry 97 runs recorded their biggest win in JCL by 231 runs. The hero amongst the three was no doubt Zafar who put in a superb batting performance scoring an unbeaten 168 runs (highest in the Al Rabie Pulz League). He played some elegant drives, cuts and pulls punishing all the bowlers with impunity hitting 19 fours and a six in his 86 ball knock. He was given good support by skipper Haroon (36) with whom he put on 132 runs for the first wicket and with Rashid Malik with whom he added 165 runs for the 3rd wicket. Rashid also in superb form this league scored a brilliant 84 runs with 6 fours. Zuhier Zahran ended at 328 for 3 in 35 overs and then bundled out Toshiba for a paltry 97 runs in 19.2 overs. Siraj first wrecked havoc at the top order with a fiery spell of 4 for 23 in 6 overs and then Ibrahim with his flight and turning off breaks mopped up the lower order with figures of 5 for 30 to give their team a massive 231 runs victory.
Traco Green put up an imposing total of 288 for 5. All their batsmen contributed to swell the tally. Openers Nisar (45) and Shehzad (63) put on 85 for the 1st wicket before the former was dismissed. Shehzad continued and was given good support by Rashid (39) with whom he put on 81 for the 2nd wicket. There was a minor collapse as they lost 3 quick wickets, two to Sohail (2 for 47) but the lower order of Baber (34), Irfan (46 NO) and Tariq (25 NO) enabled Traco Green reach 288 for 5 in 35 overs. In reply SGB Baroom opener Shoaib got his team to a good start despite losing his fellow opener. In company of Manjeet he put on 97 for the 2nd wicket. Shoaib was the more aggressive a he drove and pulled with authority, in all he hit 9 fours in his 72 of only 45 balls whereas Manjeet chipped in with 26. Thereafter it was Nadeem Siddiqui all the way, he batted fluently and hit all bowlers at will. So long as Nadeem was at the crease SGB Baroom were in with a chance, he put on 68 with Saeed (24) and got support from the others. In the last over they required 16 runs to win of which he got 6 but was dismissed on the 4th ball of the over for a superb 81 runs with 4 fours and 3 towering sixes. Eventually SGB Baroom were all out for 279 runs as Traco Green bowlers Kaleem, Irfan and Irfan Rathore picked up 2 wickets each to give their team a narrow win by 9 runs. This was Nadeem’s penultimate innings in life as in the following week he passed off during the match after scoring 52.
Mahmood Saeed were in a precarious position at 73 for 3 in 12 overs but thereafter it was opener Maqbool and Wajhat who steadied the innings and then commandeered them into a strong position as they put on 216 runs partnership for the 4th wicket. Both batted aggressively. Maqbool scored a brilliant 122 runs with 8 fours and 3 sixes whereas Wajahat was a shade better as he scored 120 runs with 11 fours and 5 sixes. The two smashed the IDB bowlers all round the ground with only Abdullah managing to show respect with 2 for 39. Mahmood Saeed ended with 295 for 5. In reply, IDB were bundled out for 194 with none of the batsmen barring Zain offering a fight back. Zain scored a superb unbeaten 104 with 11 fours and batted beautifully while wickets tumbling at the other end like ninepin. Mahfooz (3 for 33) and Wajahat (2 for 38) bowled intelligently.
Traco crushed Young Athlete by 7 wickets as they raced to their target of 245 for 3 in 27.1 overs. Leading the way was Faisal Butt who has found his rhythm after his superb 153 in the previous week. This time he scored a brilliant 82 runs in typical Faisal fashion with hard-hitting fours and sixes. He hit 9 fours and 4 sixes and along with Mohsin Mirza put on 150 runs for the second wicket. Mohsin was also in fine knick as he scored 83 runs with the help of 11 fours. Earlier, Young Athlete managed 243 for 8 in 35 overs. Amer (44), Saleem (29), Amjad (40), Hussain (39) and Saleem (32 n.o.) batted well but not long enough to enable the Ahtlete to put up a fight. Azeem of Traco was the pick of the bowlers as he took 4 for 37.
