DAMMAM, 12 March 2004 — In the first week of EPCA Premier Division Knockout Tournament, sponsored by “AGE Intrade Dubai”, Imran’s Tigers shocked Nawab XI by 67 runs. Imran’s Tigers batted first and totaled 362 for 8 in 40 overs. A sparkling 102 (14 fours and a six) off 93 balls by Sadaqat was the highlight. Faraz Shafaq scored 48 off 43 balls as Talal Iqbal 41 off 37 balls and Raza Abbas 40 off 40 balls too pitched in. Nawab’s Farhan took three for 42 and Riaz Saeed two for 61.
Nawab XI could only manage 295. Khawar Shahzad was the topscorer with 74 runs off 61 balls. Other contributors were Nasir (40), Sajjad Mahmood (26) and Riaz Saeed (25). Talal Iqbal was the most successful bowler from Imran’s Tigers with three for 42 and Raza Abbas took 3 for 61.
Close-Up, who made 272 for 8, defeated AGE cricket Club by 24 runs. Asim Biag scored 67 valuable runs. Nadeem Butt compiled a quickfire 55 run off 32 balls with two mighty sixes. AGE’s Sheraz Farooqui captured 2 for 36 and Abul Hasan took two for 52.
AGE Cricket Club then managed 248. Hamid Jamil (57), Amjad Butt (33) and Imran Farooqui (33) were the main contributors. Tayab took 3 for 59 and Saeed captured 2 for 39.
Natest, scoring 253, recorded a fine 45 runs win against Kanoo. Natest Kashif led the way with a blistering knock of 86. Murtaza (38) and Saleem Chuadry (37) also batted well. Kanoo’s Ejaz Saeed took 3 wickets for 51. Kanoo were all out for 208 run only. Their main run maker were Manuwar (55) and Rasheed Rana (54). Nadeem took 3 for 39 and Naeem captured two wfor 41.
In EPCA First Division League matches, sponsored by Khalifa A. Al-Gosaibi, Saudi Valves Manufacturing (Jubail) cricket club defeated Youngster Cricket Club by 90 runs. SVM made 336 for one. M. Ayub made a stylish 130 off 120 balls with help of 14 boundaries. David Rajkumar too scored an unbeaten 105 with the help of 14 hits to the fence and Syed Amir scored a breezy 62 off 25 balls, including 4 boundaries and four sixes.
YCC were all out for 246 with Rizwan topscoring with 67, including 4 fours and two sixes and Mumtaz hitting 58 with the help of 8 boundaries. SVM’s Krishnan Uni captured 3 wickets for 60.
