JEDDAH, 5 March 2004 - The fun-filled day of the festival match between the teams of Consulate General of India (CGI) and Consulate General of Sri Lanka (CGSL) organized by Jeddah Cricket League (JCL) could not have been better scripted.
Memories of the last-ball six by Javed Miandad for Pakistan against India in Sharjah were revived when the CGSL team were left with one ball to get six runs to do the Indian Consulate team in. And as in Sharjah, the Indians came off second best.
A magnificent last-ball six by M.N.M. Rifan sealed the fate of the match in favor of CGSL against CGI at the JCL complex here yesterday, providing a thrilling finish to the festival match.
Indian Consul General Syed Akbaruddin, who captained CGI team, said losing the friendly match was not important. What is important is winning friends through such festival encounters.
CGSL Consul General A.C.M. Ibrahim felt that such matches could be increasingly staged among various consulates and communities to promote and strengthen friendship.
JCL President Shahid Amin said the match played during the day could be extended to a triangular event involving the Consulate General of Pakistan. He responded to a suggestion made by a Sri Lankan during the prize distribution ceremony by saying that JCL would consider staging a tournament for the consulates of SAARC countries.
CGI won the toss and elected to bat. They scored 171 for 8 in the stipulated 18 overs. Opener Abdul Khuddus retired with 37 in 18 balls, and Nahdi scored 21 and Afroze 32 (retired).
For CGSL, Siraj took 2 for 11, R. De Silva 2 for 9, Shahid Moulana 1 for 33 and Romesh Cader 1 for 6.
As the game progressed, Sri Lankan Consul General A.C.M. Ibrahim bowled a 'friendly' over to his Indian counterpart. This was not recorded in the scorebook.
Akbaruddin was caught and bowled Siraj for 5.
CGSL had a poor start when they lost their first wicket in the very first ball. In the second over Aijaz Khan took two wickets in consecutive deliveries. At that stage they were struggling at 11 for 3.
Their middle order batsmen Nilantha Tilakratne and captain Romez Cader checked their team's collapse with some excellent batting. Tilakratne made 33 and Romez 43 with 3 sixes in 18 balls. Siraj with 20 and Rifan 21 were among the other batting highlights of the Sri Lankan team.
Air-India's Western Province Manger S.M. Mazharullah, who played for CGI, presented awards to the winner and runnersup.
JCL gave the following prizes: Best batsman Abdul Khuddus (CGI), best bowler Prishana Silva (CGSL), best fielder Yousuf Bobat (CGI) and man-of-the-match Romez Cader (CGSL).
Akbaruddin and Ibrahim exchanged plaques on behalf of their consulates.
Dr. Iqbal Musani, Sultan Mazharuddin, both Indians, and Naushad and Mubarak, both Sri Lankans, were commentators. Syed Majeedul Hasan performed the role of master of ceremony. Al-Jedani hospital provided first-aid and ambulance.
Akbaruddin presented a replica of Taj Mahal to Ibrahim and Shahid Amin.
CGI Team: Captain Syed Akbaruddin, Vice Captain Aijaz Khan, Abdul Khuddus, Majidul Hasan, Manjit Kumar, Manzoor Karimuddin, Afroze, Salim Nahdi, Munaaf, Abdul Aziz, Sadatullah, Yousuf Bobat, A.R. Merchant, Abdul Aziz, S.M. Mazharullah, Amjad Hasan, Ashok Kumar and Rajiv Gupta, aside from Ali Sherza, team manager.
CGSL Team: Captain A.C.M. Ibrahim, Vice Captain Romez Cader, Nilantha Tilakratne, Shahid Moulana, Prishana Silva, B.S. Booso, Rizmi, Mohammed Taib, Tarindu, Rifan, Lasantha, Carder, Razlan, R. De Silva, Atul, Nilufar, Murshid, Naushad and Lareef, aside from S.M. Farweez, team manager.
Umpires: Kumar Krishnan (CGI) and Henry Gunawardana (SL); Scorer: Captain Hamiduddin. Sponsors were Air-India, Sadafco, Goody's, Salt & Pepper, and S.G.B. Baroom. Match Coordinators were Afsar Fahim and Aijaz Khan. The Festival Match Committee comprised Aijaz Khan, Azizullah Sharif, Salabat Lodhi, Badar Ansari and Captain Hameed.
