DAMMAM, 27 February 2004 — Mohammad Faisal bagged for wickets and Ishaq Mohiuddin played a magnificent innings to inspire Saudi Valves Manufacturing over Adpco by 25 runs in the EPCA league matches, sponsored by Khalifa A. Al-Gosaibi Group.

SVM won the toss and elected to bat first and set a target of 221 in their allotted overs. SVM had a shaky start at 50 for two. But Ishaq Mohiuddin and Amin shared an 82 runs partnership of the third wicket. Mohiuddin made a fluent 71 run and Amin made a quickfire 44 off 34 balls with 6 boundaries. Abid, Sampat and Shakir from Adpco bagged two wickets each.

Adpco then managed 195 runs in 40 overs thanks to a gallant knock from Sampat Babu. He was finally run out for 53 runs as Adpco collapsed with only Shaker (19) standing out. For SVM, M. Faisal bagged 4 wickets for 42 runs, whereas Shakeel took 2 wickets for 50.

Asif hit a splendid 110 as Rani CC beat Hyderabad Blues by 9 wickets. Hyderabad Blues, batting first, scored 259 for the loss of 8 wickets in their allotted overs. Zubair scored a fine 102, while Mansoor contributed 50 runs. Rani’s Sabbir bowled well and claimed three wickets for 8 runs and Kurshed took three for 41. Chasing 259 in 40 overs, Rani CC batsmen scored 260 runs with ease, just losing one wicket in the process. Asif led the way with unbeaten 110 with 11 fours. He was supported by Nazeer Hussain, who smashed 77 with ten tits to the fence. Amer Sajjad made a quick unbeaten 45 off 19 balls with 9 boundaries. Rani CC scored the 260 in 30.5 overs.

Khalifa A. Al-Gosaibi scored a 9 wickets victory over Basem International. Basem batted first and were bowled out for 183. K. A. Al-Gosaibi crossed the winning mark in 20 overs for the loss of one wicket. Opener Hidayat made a breezy unbeaten 130 off just 64 deliveries, studded with 15 hit to the fence and three mighty sixes.

In the Premier Division matches, Kanoo demolished AGE CC by 6 wickets. AGE scored 286 for 8 in their allotted 40 overs. Their run makers were Hamid Jamil with a fine unbeaten 113, which included four boundaries and one mighty six.

Amjad Butt (60) and M. Rauf (34) were the other scorers. Munawar Hussain bowled well and took 3 wickets for 59. Kanoo achieved the winning mark in the 38th over. Munawar Hussain made a fluent 78 runs. Iqbal Bali hit an unbeaten 104. He played glorious strokes to all corners of the ground, nine past the fence. Nawab XI scored a comprehensive 8 wickets win over Close-Up. On winning the toss, Close-Up batted first and were skittled for 79. Tariq Tanveer ran through the lineup picking up five wickets for 9 runs. Nawab XI crossed the winning mark in 17 overs.