Deccan Knights lift Ace Travel Cup

Deccan Knights scored a thrilling seven-run win over Kanoo Travel in the final to lift the Ace Travel Cup Cricket League title, sponsored by Ace Travels & Tours and organized by the Jeddah Cricket Association.
Deccan Knights batting first scored 232 runs for 9 wickets. Afroz batted fluently for his 40 off 19 balls with 6 fours and a 6 while Najeeb gave him good support scoring a patient 31 off 26 balls including 2 fours and 2 sixes. But it was Athar who stole the limelight with a solid knock of 76 runs off 62 balls which included 8 fours while Inayath (16) propped the lower order to enable Deccan reach an imposing 232 for 9 wickets. Ishaq 3 for 29 Shahid 2 for 46 Akbar and Haroon had wicket a piece for 41 and 36 runs respectively.
In reply, Kanoo Travel started aggressively as Kaleem and Mazhar scored 70 runs in the first 9 overs. Kaleem scored 53 off 47 balls with four fours and 2 sixes while Mazhar chipped in with 24 off 26 balls with 3 fours.
Later Amir 36 of 31balls, Akbar 28 off 10 balls and Ishaq 21 of 22 balls kept them in the hunt for the chase but the asking rate started climbing thanks to some tight bowling by Ajju (2 for 28), Athar (2 for 39) and Inayath (1 for 27), which stopped Kanoo Travel at 225.
Athar deservedly got the Man of the Match award for his 76 runs and 2 wickets for 39 runs. Kumar Krishnan and Azam Khan were the umpires of this match. The prize distribution function started with the recitation of holy verses of Qu’ran. Azizullah Sheriff welcomed Chief Guest Shamshad Ahmed Khan, director of finances ACE Travels & Tours along with Syed Khaja Moinuddin, Syed Ashfaque Hussain and Ashfaque Aleem Ahmed, general manager. Mohammad Ali Jarrar, director finance western region could not attend the function due to prior commitment.
Award winners: Winners: Deccan Knights Cricket Club Runners-up: Kanoo Travel.
Batsman with maximum runs: Syed Farukh Najeeb of Deccan Knights.
Batsmen with highest averages: Syed Farukh Najeeb of Deccan Knights, Wajid Samdani of ACE Travels, Athar Ali of NATCO, Sohail of Deccan Knights, Parvez Khan of Kanoo Travel, Mohammad Irfan of Zinda Tilismat of Hyderabad, Ather Abdul Quddus of Deccan Knights.
Best Batting performance in a match: Syed Farukh Najeeb of Deccan Knights.
Bowler with highest wickets: Akbar of Kanoo Travel. Bowlers with best averages: Ather Abdul Quddus of Deccan Knights, Akbar of Kanoo Travel and Abdul Quddus of Desert Warriors.
Best Bowling performance in a match: Mehmood of Kanoo Travel.
Best All-Rounder: Ather Abdul Quddus of Deccan Knights.
Best All-Round performance in a match: Ather Abdul Quddus of Deccan Knights.
Best Partnership: Syed Farukh Najeeb and Ather Abdul Quddus of Deccan Knights, Wajid Samdani and Sadath of ACE Travels.
Hat trick: Abdul Quddus of Desert Warriors.