ALKHOBAR, 10 May 2005 — Rani Floaters beat favored SVM by four wickets in a stunning reversal in the final of the EPCA Knockout Tournament First Division sponsored by Caravan Cargo Agency.
SVM won the toss and elected to bat first but they got into trouble as both their openers Amin and Ashraf were sent back to pavilion by Sadiq and Zubair.
Amin was bowled by Sadiq for 15 runs and Ashraf was caught by Mannan off the bowling of Zobair after scoring just 7 runs.
Mohammed Ayub and Wasim tried to consolidate the position by putting 36 runs partnership for the 3rd wicket in which Wasim contributed majority of runs. Ayub lost his wicket smartly caught by Ansar off the bowling of Wasiullah and soon David lost his wicket to Shahnawaz without scoring. SVM were 66 for 4 at the end of 16th over. Once again Wasim tried to put the innings together with Mohammed Imran as they put on 47 runs partnership for the 5th wicket. At this crucial stage of the match Sadiq struck again and bowled Imran who scored 21 runs and in the next over Shahnawaz got rid of Wasim who scored very brave 43 runs which included 6 hits to the fence.
After the departure of Wasim, Rani Floaters took complete control of the match. Ishaq struck twice and got the wicket of Amir and Qasim and Shahnawaz took a brilliant catch on his own bowling and sent Unni to the dressing room. Soon Faisal was run out and thus the entire SVM batting line collapsed and were all out for 134 in which the second highest scorer was Mr. Extra with 26 runs.
Chasing an easy target Rani Floaters were in trouble as they lost their first wicket without any run being scored when Qasim bowled Sadiq off the first ball for a duck. Fayyaz joined Ansar and the pair put on 50 runs partnership for the second wicket then Ansar got out after scoring valuable 30 runs caught by Azhar off the bowling of David and in the next over Unni got the wicket of Yousuf before he could open his account.
