JEDDAH, 15 August 2003 — Jeddah Cricket League started its summer league last Friday. Twenty-four teams have been divided into three groups. Two top teams from each group will qualify for the quarterfinals.

In the first week of the tournament Niaz (Traco Green), Kaleem (Traco Green), Nadeem (Young Athlete), Owais (Saudi Milk), Nadir Toor (Nadir Toor XI), Rashid Butt (SGB Baroom) and Amer Sardar (IDB) all hit a century each. And the match results were, Traco Green drubbed Young Athlete, Unasco beat Hafil, Saudia Milk clinched victory over UMA, Nadir Toor won against Lux Progress. SGB Baroom trounced Saleheen, Hero Ranger defeated Saudia City. Islamic Development Bank outplayed Adamjee Insurance and Sadafco bested Dabbagh.

Niaz (108) and Kaleem (105) enabled Traco Green to pile up 249 runs in its allotted overs. Young Athlete replied with 196. Niaz and Kaleem played ruthlessly. Niaz hit 5 sixes and 14 shots to the ropes. Kaleem hit 17 fours. Their partnership was worth 182 runs. After their departure, Traco Green reached 249 for 6 wickets. Hussain picked 2 wickets. Shabbir and Shoaib had one victim each. Facing a mammoth total, Young Athlete openers Nadeem (100) and Mujahid (31) started well but later batsmen did not rise to the occasion. Young Athlete playing with 9 players was all out for 196. Shahzad (2 for 17 runs) and Irfan (2 for 27) were the chief wicket-takers.

Unasco posted 213 runs and Hafil was restricted to 155. Khawar (57) and Naeem Shah (17) put up a 36 runs opening stand for Unasco. Shabbir (34) and Akram (45) kept up the pressure on Hafil bowlers. Unasco reached 213 for 5 wickets. Abdullah (2 for 45) was the most successful bowler.

Hafil suffered early setbacks from which it did not recover. Talha (07), Saleem Nahdi (02), Wajid (02) and Zaheer (05) were dismissed in quick succession. Maqbool (26) and Salem Amoudi (36) steadied the innings. A. Rahman chipped in with 25. A. Aziz contributed 12. Hafil reached 155 for 9 wickets. Khawar (3 for 30) was the pick of the bowlers. Asim Butt (2 for 22) made initial inroads.

Brief results of other matches:

Saudia Milk 168 (Owais 113 n.o., Imran 35 n.o.) beat UMA 167 (Akbar 72 Qaiser 25, Tanveer 2 for 20 Iftikhar 2 for 20) by 8 wickets.

Nadir Toor XI 222 (Nadir 125 n.o. (13 four), Hamid Wasti 49) beat Lux Progress 119 (Tauqeer 22, Nadir 3 for 14) by 103 runs.

SGB Baroom 247 (Rashid Butt 152-19 fours and a six, Manjeet 34, Afzal 4 for 30) outclassed Saleheen 145 (Razzaq 50, Azeez 24, Kazim 3 for 25) by 102 runs. Hero Rangers 126 (Omar 31, Saleem 48 n.o.) defeated Saudia City 121 (Refan 24, Azhar 21, Safdar 3 for 17, Nadeem 2 for 10) by 7 wickets.

Islamic Development Bank 188 (Amer 108, Jawwad 40) beat Adamjee Insurance 122 (Imran 28, Irfan 16, Naveed 12, Rashid Malik 5 for 20 runs, Jawwad 3 for 12) by 66 runs.