JEDDAH, 24 March 2005 — Saudia City downed Kanoo by six wickets in the last over in an exciting match, Afkar Promo-7 snatched victory by 7 wickets, Deccan Blues survived the strong Shalimar (AAA)side to win by 36 runs.
Meantime, a well organized and disciplined LG-United Naghi Group kept their slate clean with yet another memorable win against Tamer thanks to the solid batting by their ace batsman Maqbool who had 66 valuable runs in just 41 deliveries in the eighth week matches in the Division I Western Union League organized by the Jeddah Cricket League (JCL) and sponsored by the Western Union Money Transfer Company.
LG-United Naghi Group, batting first, made 187 for 6 in their 18 allotted overs. Talha made 17 runs in 13 balls before being clean bowled by Zeeshan while at the other end Wajid stood firmly for 39 runs. Saleem Nahdi, LG’s run-getting machine, came at No. 3 to bat but after making brisk 26 runs became the second victim of Zeeshan.
But the prolific stroke maker Maqbool was in full cry as he drove, cut and pulled at ease against the bowling of young Tamer bowlers and made solid unbeaten knock of 66 runs in just 41 deliveries with the help of two fours and five sixes.
Arif Rana and Irfan took one wicket while Zeeshan had two wickets.
In reply Tamer started well. Their skipper Arif Rana at looked comfortable against strong bowling of LG but he was unlucky to be caught brilliantly by Salam off the bowling of Abdul Aziz. Awaiz made 21, Omer 14, Asif 13 and Zeeshan 12. Assad, Abdul Aziz and Salam Amoudi took 2 wickets each while Abdul Qadir and Afroz managed to take a wicket each as Tamer slumped to 131 for 9 in 18.
At JCL-4 ground Deccan Blues made a respectable total of 169 for 6.
Rayees was the most successful batsman with an un beaten knock of 37 runs while Sadath with his stylish footwork hitting down the wicket punished the bowlers for 32 runs. The other notable batsmen were Abdul Aziz 20, Quddoos 18, Amer 16 and the wicket keeper batsman Habeeb made 13 runs.
The veteran off spinner Ashfaque took 3 for 23 while Zain, Gull & Shahid took one wicket each for Shalimar.
In reply Shalimar openers Naveed made 21 runs while the other opener Taher put in solid 40 runs. Zain scored 20 while Rahath added 14 runs for Shalimar (AAA) who had 133 for 9 in 18 and lost the match by 37 runs.
At JCL- 3 KAIA batting first managed just 134 for 4 with the help of Abrar’s un beaten knock of 51 (6X4) & (1X6). Ghufran made 36 valuable runs to accelerate the scoring but he was unlucky to be out stumped off the bowling of Sadath. Taher the main batsman of KAIA was run out for a duck by Faisal while Zafar remained un beaten on 18 runs. A.Q. Rumaiz, Sadath & Majid took one wicket each for Afkar.
In reply Afkar started well as Ali made 16 with one four and 12 singles. Pervez made 18 runs and Faisal blasted 29 runs 13 balls (5X4). Shahid Moulana the talented Sri Lankan cricketer who came into bat at No.3 stole the show with his willow as he played some eye catching strokes to remain unbeaten on 36 along with Nadeem who made 20 runs without losing his wicket and guided their team to victory by 7 wickets in 15.2 overs.
At JCL-1 ground Kanoo made 149 for 9 in 18 overs, thanks to Urooj who made 31. Waseem added 36 and Shoeb 34 but the rest of the batsmen flopped.
In reply Qasim 17, Razlan 69 gave a rousing start for Saudia City while Shahbaz 14, Mazhar 20 n.o. & Jaweed 10 n.o. managed to get the victory target possible as they made 151 for 4 wickets in 17.2 overs, just 4 balls before their allotted overs expired. Rashid took 2 for 31 while Imran and Majid took one wicket for Kanoo.
