RIYADH, 25 December 2007 — Lahorey Khabey snatched victory from the jaws of defeat as they overcame a stiff resistance from PIA CC to coast to a 3-run victory in the Castrol Cup finals.

Meanwhile, Super Green overwhelmed Al-Hamra CC to capture the Castrol Shield in the tournament sponsored by Castrol Saudi Arabia and organized by Riyadh Cricket Association.

Later in a grand awards ceremony, which took place at the KFSH grounds, prizes were given to the winning teams. Arifullah Shariff, national sales manager of Castrol Saudi Arabia, was the chief guest and Ali Al Tuwaim honorary guest. RCA President Abdul Qadeer Mirza presided over the function. In his remarks, Mirza congratulated the winning teams and all the participating teams for their sportsmanship and discipline. He also congratulated the RCA executive committee for organizing such a big event successfully.

Shariff promised that Castrol Saudi Arabia would extend support every possible way to promote the cricketing activities in Riyadh region and appreciated the efforts of RCA in improving the quality of cricket being played in Riyadh.

In a match where pendulum of fortune swung every over, Lahorey Khabey batting first managed only 165 runs. Muneer Rana was the chief destroyer as he mesmerized the Khabey batsmen with his leg spin to end up with figures of 5 for 20. Only Nazim Siddique scored a fighting half century while Rizwan Qaiyoom made 31 runs. PIA started their reply in a disastrous way losing two wickets in the first over. But then Arshad Mahmood and Asif Zaki started to repair the damage with intelligent and sensible batting. Arshad in particular batted with a mixture of caution and aggression, making 67 runs before he got out. Asif Zaki made 48 runs, after the fall of these two, none of the PIA batsmen stayed long enough at the wickets and in the end the tail enders could not keep up the run rate and PIA mustered only 163 runs in 20 overs. For Lahorey Khabey Atif Badr gave brilliant display of leg spin bowling by taking 3 wickets. Faheem Shah and Rizwan Qaiyoom took 2 wickets each. Atif Badr was declared Man of the Match for his bowling.

In Division B, Super Green won in stylish manner beating Al-Hamra CC by 7 wickets. Batting first, Al-Hamra lost opener Naqqash for a duck, but then Zahid Meer and Yaser Butt dug in and repaired the damage. Yaser made 22 runs and after his departure wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Only Zahid Meer (57 runs) offered resistance as Al Hamra could only reach 177 runs in their 20 overs losing 9 wickets. For Super Green Abdul Majeed bowled brilliantly to take 4 wickets.

Super Green in their reply also lost two quick wickets before Abid Meraj hit a scintillating unbeaten 102 runs to take his team to victory. His knock was decorated with 16 fours and 3 massive sixes. M.Sajid (24 runs) gave him good support. Super green reached the target by losing only 3 wickets. For Al Hamra Khurram took two wickets. Abid was named Man of the Match.

Earlier in the semifinals of Division A Lahorey Khabey and SAMBA CC played a nail-biting tied match. Batting first Lahorey Khabey managed only 155 runs in their allotted 20 overs only Rizwan Qaiyoom batted gallantly to make 45 runs. SAMBA wilted under pressure applied by the Khabey bowlers and made exactly 155 runs in their 20 overs. Run rate at the end of 10th over was then calculated to decide the winners and Khabey’s run rate at 10th over was better and thus they were declared winners.

In another semifinals PIA trounced Sialkot CC by four wickets to reach the finals. The highlight of this match was a magnificent century by Eijaz Raja of Sialkot CC and splendid all-round display by Mohammad Owais of PIA.

In Division B Super Green overwhelmed Deccan Blues by 7 wickets the highlight of the match was performance of Adnan (unbeaten 79 runs) and Abdul Majeed (5 wickets). Adnan was declared Man of the Match.

Al-Hamra beat ITSO B by six wickets in the second semifinal, where Yasser Butt of Al Hamra, was named Man of the Match for scoring 76 runs.