JEDDAH, 7 February 2003 — JCL Executive Committee members were host to Pakistan International Airlines for a friendly cricket match played at the Jeddah Cricket League Complex ground.
For PIA it was an opportunity of public relations and interaction with the local community and for JCL to promote the game of cricket. JCL Executive Committee members are playing series of matches with various organizations and association of professionals every week to widen the participation and generate enthusiasm for cricket.
The match turned out to be a nail-biting thriller with the JCL winning the match with two ball spare. PIA’s captain Muzafar won the toss and elected to bat. Abdullah and Shafaket opened the innings. The first breakthrough came for JCL when Majeedul Hasan clean bowled Shafaket for 13 and then claimed another wicket, bowling out one down batsman Manzoorul Hasan the legendry Pakistan’s national hockey player in his next over for 5. Opener Abdullah batted well but was brilliantly bowled out by JCL captain Shahid Amin for a well made 56. He was well supported by Shahid in the middle order who made 21. PIA made 142 for 7 in the allotted 18 overs. Himayoun 2 for 10, Shoib 1 for16 and Iftekar 1 for 16 were the other wicket-takers. Shoib was also outstanding as a fielder and saved many boundaries.
In reply, JCL had a disastrous start when they lost both the openers Hamid Rana and Afsar Faheem both making a run. But one down batsman Osman (44) and Nadeem Nadvi (47) consolidated the innings with a good partnership for the third wicket. Shahid Amin (13 n.o.) scored the winning runs with just two balls left in the game. JCL reached the target making 146 for 6 and thus registering a 4 wicket triumph. Muzafar 2 for 39, Qamer Faiz 1 for 22 and Mubasheer 2 for 21 were successful with the ball.
After the match speaking on the occasion Shahid Amin President JCL thanked PIA for accepting the invitation and turning out in full with their staff and families. Saleem Nisar, general manager, PIA was all praised to JCL and appreciated the efforts being made for the progress and development of cricket in Saudi Arabia. He said he realized how important it was for his organization, PIA, to be part of the community activities and he will continue this interaction in future. Saleem Nisar gave away cups to the best players of the two teams. Abdullah was adjudged MVP for PIA and Nadeem Nadvi for JCL. A memento was presented to Saleem Nisar on behalf of JCL as a token of appreciation and remembrance. (Syed Majeedul Hasan)
