JEDDAH, 25 October — The Division I of the Kanoo Friday League which is sponsored by the Kanoo Group and organized by Jeddah Cricket League started recently. In all 12 teams are participating divided into two groups. Group A: Dabbagh, Deccan Blues, Afkar Promo-7, Adamjee Insurance, Al-Sharif Shalimar and Ace Travels. Group B: Jotun Red Sea Paints, Juffali Michelin, Tamer, UNASCO, Kanoo Travels and Attar Travels. Matches will be played on League-cum-knockout basis. All four teams in each group shall be seeded on basis of points and run rate and quarterfinals, semifinals draws will be as follows: A1 vs. B4: A2 vs. B3: B1 vs. A4: B2 vs. A3 Match 1: Match 2: Match 3: Match 4 First semifinal: Winner of match 1 vs. winner of match 2 second semifinal: winner of match 3 vs. winner of match 4
In two different groups, 4 matches were played in the previous week. Afkar Promo-7 started with a big bang against Adamjee Insurance, whereas, Juffali Michelin, Dabbagh and UNASCO were victorious against Jotun Red Sea Paints, Deccan Blues and Tamer respectively. The summary of these matches are as follows:
Afkar Promo-7 chased the reasonable target of 184 runs set by Adamjee Insurance. Irfan (21) and Imran (31) opened for Adamjee. On their return, they lost two more wickets cheaply. Later Shahid added 32 runs notably. From Afkar Promo-7, Ramesh and Pervez captured 2 wickets each for 37 and 25 runs respectively. Responding the higher run rate, Afkar Promo-7 reeled off for the loss of 3 wickets and 24 ball to spare. Although, Ali lost his opening partner at the early stage, he did not hesitate to accelerate the run rate. Ali scored 44 runs with Azhar (28).
Later, captain Rumesh quick-fired an unbeaten 72 runs including 5 mighty sixes and 5 hits to the fence. Asif from Adamjee took 2 for 35 runs. Juffali Michelin defeated Jotun Red Sea Paints by 30 runs. Taking the first batting, Juffali scored 176 for 5 in 18 overs. Naeem Shah scored 58 runs consisting of 3 sixes and 6 fours in association with Imran (38) and Akram (33 n.o.). From Red Sea Akram took 2 for 22. In reply, Red Sea restricted on 146, in which, Shakeel (37), Kauser Khan (38) and Mazhar (27) were the main batsmen. Hamid Butt from Juffali snatched 4 for 24.
Dabbagh beat Deccan Blues by 4 wickets. In their first batting, D. Blues scored 147 for 8 in 20 overs, in which, Shabbir (33), Iftekhar (31) and Marouf (20) were the notable scorers. Shehzad, Imran, Asghar and Anees shared 2 wickets each for 19, 38, 8 and 27 runs respectively. In reply, Dabbagh reached the reef for the loss of 6 wickets. Shehzad and Nusrat put 89 runs 1st wicket partnership. Later, Asghar contributed 29 runs. Badar from D. Blues took 2 for 24. UNASCO had a fine victory over Tamer by 6 wickets.
Tamer compiled 145 in 20 overs, in which, Salem (26), Almas (34) and Usman (20) were the main scorers. Naveed from UNASCO claimed 3 for 22 while Arif and Zahid took 2 wickets each conceding 12 and 28 runs respectively. In reply, when both the openers of UNASCO and two other batsmen returned back to the pavilion at the total of 92 on board, bowlers from Tamer put more pressure. But Zahid Iqbal alone ensured the victory, scoring an unbeaten 82 runs including 11 fours and a six, supported by Arif Nazir (18 n.o.). Salim from Tamer took 2 for 28.
