JEDDAH, 20 February 2004 — Nestle Milo milked Arab News Under-19 final contest for all they’d got to cream the more-favored SGB Baroom colts at the Mahmood Saeed ground yesterday.

Not sated with their seven-wicket victory in the Jeddah Cricket League (JCL) organized final, they again came up trumps against SGB in a six-overs-per-side exhibition that preceded the prize distribution ceremony at the ground.

The six overs contest was played after the teams had played at a fast clip to finish the final well ahead of time. The teams sought another limited contest and JCL devised a real short version of the game, with the opposing teams’ bowlers limited to bowling just one over per bowler.

The twin success must have left a sweet aftertaste to Nestle Milo’s day, for many had not given them much of a chance against the much-vaunted SGB in the crunch match. It was SGB who had dominated the earlier encounters en route to the final, while Nestle had a much tighter run to the final.

Arab News Editor in Chief Khaled Al-Maeena, while congratulating the winners and all the players alike, exhorted the young boys to take a leaf out of the JCL book. He said, “JCL is a shining example of cooperation, and you should learn from it.” He added that the JCL had done an excellent job of organizing the event.

JCL President Shahid Amin, while welcoming the chief guest, said “It was Khaled Al-Maeena’s brainchild to boost cricket at the youth level, and the enthusiasm and the keen competition among the colts is a result of that.”

After congratulating both the teams for a super performance in the final, albeit a low-scoring one, he applauded the sportsmanship shown by the colts throughout the tournament. He said: “You colts have now become part and parcel of the JCL family, and we will be continuing this event for you throughout the year.”

He added that Nestle Milo will now play a Yanbu Under 19 selection in the coming days.

Amid cool and windy weather Nestle Milo won the toss and put SGB in to bat. And with Shoib and Fazail blazing away it looked like a poor decision. Shoib smashed 38, inclusive of six fours, as the Nestle pace battery was literally hit out of the attack. But Shoib’s exit at 51 and the introduction of spin turned the match on its head. Though Fazail compiled a patient 43, Nestle Milo spinners brought down the tempo while chipping away at the other end. Nestle’s Rabie was the pick as he finished with two for 12 in four overs and Noman had two for 26 as SGB finished with 126 for seven in their 20 overs.

With a low target to chase, Nestle were quick off the blocks with Rabie and Rizwan Abdul Khaleq calling the shots. Rabie and Rizwan, who made a sedate 28, shared 94 for the first wicket, and by the time Rabie and Rizwan had departed the stage was set for the late flourish. Rabie’s 43 and his sterling bowling display earned him the Man of the Final award. For SGB Ali Raza , Shoib Ali and Obaid shared the wickets that fell as Nestle posted a seven-wicket verdict.

The exhibition too followed a similar script with SGB batting first and rattling up 58 runs. Osman Ali hit 42 and Shoib 12. Nestle were again up to the task as they overhauled the tally in 4.4 overs with Rabie 22 and Rizwan (26 n.o.).

The individual awards:

Batsman with best average: Shoib (SGB — 272); Rizwan (Nestle Milo – 196); Rizwan (Babar Toor – 185).

Batsman with maximum runs: Rizwan (Nestle Milo – 196); Rizwan (Babar Toor – 185); Shoib (SGB — 272).

Batsman with maximum runs in a match: Abdullah (Nestle Milo – 72 n.o.), Shoib (SGB – 131); Rizwan (Nestle Milo — 85).

Bowler with best average: Noman (Nestle Milo — 7-101); Nadir Toor (B. Toor — 15-79).

Bowler with maximum wickets: Noman (Nestle Milo – 8 wkts); Nadir Toor (B. Toor —15 wkts).

Bowler with maximum wickets in a match: Zuhab (Sadafco – 4-22); Nadir Toor (B. Toor – 5-31).

Best all rounder: Nadir Toor – 15 wickets and 177 runs.

Best all round performance in a match: Osman (SGB) –2 for 10 and 54.

Bets partnership: Shoaib and Fazail (SGB – 168); Rizwan and Abdullah (138)

Hat Trick: Nadir Toor.