JEDDAH: Unbeaten Hijaz-XI continued their winning streak routing ICC by 174 runs for their 15th straight win bagging the Premier Division League cricket title, organized by the Jeddah Cricket Association.
In another match played for the third place, Sigma Paints Usfan-XI recorded a thrilling last-ball win over Kanoo.
Despite strong winds blowing, Hijaz-XI, batting first, totalled 266 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs.
Their inform batsman Wahaj scored a quick-fire 44 off 17 deliveries, his castle being broken by left-arm spinner Faraz. The other opener Talha scored 32 and Ayaz got 23.
In came Athar at No. 4 and went for the bowling, stepping up the scoring rate hitting 89 off 42 balls. Akram who remained unbeaten on 43 ably supported him.
Aslam was the most successful bowler taking 2 for 20 while Irfan Qureshi, Faraz and Nadeem took one wicket each.
In reply, ICC got off to a disastrous start with Wahaj ripping through the top order taking the prize wickets of openers Naeem, Aslam and skipper Irfan Qureshi.
With the cream back in the pavilion, wickets kept falling at regular intervals with spinners Fahim and Akram taking three wickets each. Medium pacer Kamran took the other wicket.
The only resistance for ICC came from Zameer who was the highest scorer with 31 runs. Most of the other batsmen failed to get into double figures. ICC caving in for a paltry 92 runs.
In the other match, Kanoo made 228 for 6 in 20 over. Junaid (65), Najam (62) and Sami Khan (59) did their best.
Majid Bhatti, Tanveer, Irshad and Riaz took a wicket each.
Sigma Paints Usfan-XI reached their target with the last ball of the match. Adnan (92), Irshad (67 not out) were their main run-getters. Junaid took 2 for 44.
The prize distribution ceremony was presided over by chief guest Mohammed Essa Bandakji, Initial Company’s International Business Development Manager; Ghazi; Eng.Mohammed Afzal, G.M. Initial Landscaping Co. Ltd; Jahangir Virk, the Welfare Attaché Pakistan Consulate General Jeddah; Ashfaq Aleem Ahmed, G.M. ACE Travel; Mohammed Ali Jarrar, Regional Director for sales ACE Travel; JCA Chairman, Dr. Faiz Al Abideen; Mohammed Ashraf Gulam Chowdry, GM Al Harazi Est.; and Syed Abdul Khadar Qasim, GM Fatima Aqqad Est.
Award winners:
Champions: Hijaz-XI; Runners-up: ICC; Third place: Sigma Paints Usfan-XI; Man of final: Wahaj; Batsman with maximum runs: Wahaj (349); Batsmen with highest average: Athar and Wahaj of Hijaz-XI; Akmal of Sigma Paints; Best Batting performance in a match: Wahaj (125 n.o.); Highest wicket taker: Faheem 15 for 162; Bowler with best average: Naveed and Faheem; Majid Sheikh of Kanoo; Best bowling in a match: Irfan of ICC 4 for 12; Best all rounder of league: Majid Bhatti (279 runs, 8 for 258); Best all rounder in a match: Zameer (83 runs, 2 for 20); Best Partnership: Irfan and Hafeez of ICC (133 against Desert Warrior); Best wicket keeper: Majid Siddiqui of Kanoo.
