RIYADH: The first Inter Hospital Cricket tournament, sponsored by Banque Saudi Fransi and organized by Pakistani Doctors Group Riyadh, got off to a flying start as Raheel Minhas of KFSH and RC made a blazing century to lead his team to a convincing 10-wicket win over KKUH at the KFSH & RC grounds.

After winning toss KFSH & RC elected to bat. Openers Raheel Minhas and Salman Baig batted brilliantly for their opening century stand. Raheel in particular was in good form as he smashed the KKUH bowlers to all parts of the ground and remained unbeaten on 103. Salman Baig made 50 runs. KFSH & RC made 181 runs in their allotted overs.

Facing huge total KKUH batsmen could not put a fight and were bundled out for a paltry 78 runs only in 11 overs.

Only Zulqarnain (18 runs) and Imran (14) reached the double figures. For KFSH & RC Salman Baig, Zia ur Rahman and Faheem took two wickets each. Raheel Minhas was adjudged “Man of the Match”.

At KFSH Ground 1 KFNGH Hospital made light work of KSMC (Shemaisy Hospital) by defeating them by seven wickets. Batting first KSMC made 128 runs in their allotted overs by losing six wickets. Ahmar waged a lone battle by making 57 which included 5 hits to the fence he got good support from Wasim (12 runs).

KFNGH reached the target easily and lost only three wickets in process. Asghar was in blistering form as he made a fine 57 runs which contained 8 fours. Kumail contributed 20 runs to the total. Asghar was declared “Man of the Match”.

In the afternoon match, RKH got better of KFSH & RC by 6 runs. Batting first RKH made a reasonable 114 runs in their allotted overs by losing 9 wickets.

Tashfeen (15 runs), Nissar (13 runs) and Rehan (11 runs) were the main scorers for RKH. For KFSH & RC Raheel Minhas and Salman took two wickets each.

Chasing a modest total KFSH & RC started brightly as Raheel Minhas made a fine 33 runs. But once he was out scoring was made difficult following some tight bowling by RKH bowlers. Salman later on made a sedate 33 runs. Other batsmen were unable to force the tempo. KFSH & RC could make only 108 in their allotted overs and lost 5 wickets. For RKH Faheem picked up two scalps. Salman of KFSH & RC was adjudged “Man of the Match”.

In a high scoring match of the afternoon session, KFNGH routed KFMC by 8 wickets for a second consecutive win in their pool.

KFMC won the toss and decided to bat. Salman score a fine unbeaten 60. He was ably supported by Adil (30 runs). KFMC made 160 runs in their allotted overs and lost only four wickets. Chasing a big target KFNGH got off to a blazing start as Shahab played magnificently. He made an unbeaten 68 runs in only 20 balls. Irshad (37 runs) and Tanweer Aziz (24 runs) gave him good support. KFNGH reached the target in a convincing manner.

Shahab was declared “Man of the Match’ for his explosive knock.