Finance, Travel off to good starts in Kanoo cricket

Finance got off to a good start in the 16th Kanoo Inter-Division Cricket League when they beat P&IP by 21 runs in the AXA Insurance and Maersk Line sponsored event for the Western Province.
After an early loss of an early wicket, Thabrez (49) and Sami Khan (15) built a prudent partnership to post a target of 141 from 15 overs. Imtiyaz was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets and Raju got 2.
In reply, P&IP’s Ramzi (39), Asif (13) looked confident and were nicely backed up by the middle order batsmen – Imran (10) and Vasi (14), but could not keep the momentum and were restricted to 120-6 in 15 overs.
Jaila got 2 wickets and Thabrez, Sami Khan and Nabil kept Finance in the game.
Man-of-the-Match: Thabrez
In the other second week encounter Travel downed Freight by four wickets. Oliver (14) and Hameen (29) gave Freight a quick-fire opening. Fazal (25) and Wahid Khan (27) kept the momentum going.
But Travel bowlers bounced back and took wickets at regular intervals as Wasfi, Shammiraj, Muteeb and Nayaz bagged two wickets each to restrict Freight to 126 off 15 overs.
In reply, Travel also lost wickets at regular intervals. Freight’s Imran picked up two wickets and was well supported by Donald, Asfar, Hameen and Fazal with a wicket each.
Travel’s middle order batsmen Robin (20 n.o.) and Wasfi (11 n.o.), however, took the game away from Freight and reached the target of 126 for the loss of six wickets with five balls to spare.
Man-of-the-Match: Robin
In the first week matches, Finance beat Freight by 33 runs.
Finance batting first piled up 152 for 4 wickets off 15 overs. In reply Freight were restricted to 119 for 9 off 15 overs.
For Finance Sami was the top scorer with a quick-fire 46 runs. He was given good support by Thabrez with 22 and Faheem with 25.
In reply Freight started on a positive note as their opener Oliver (14) and the middle order batsman Imran (27) batted sensibly but some brilliant catching by Finance fielders particularly Indika who took 4 catches in the deep and accurate bowling by Sami who chipped in with 3 wickets brought about Freight downfall and restricted them to 119 runs.
Man-of-the-Match: Sami Khan.
In the other match, Travel routed Maersk by 9 wickets. Maersk lions batting first were restricted to 120 for 9. Travel bowlers, Shammiraj (3 for 28) impressed.
In response, Travel made a short work of the total scoring 121 for 1 with Shammiraj playing a gem of an innings thrashing the bowlers all over the ground and remained unbeaten with 55 runs.He was well supported by Aleem (12) and Arif (28).
Man-of-the-Match: Shammiraj.
The five participating teams are: Finance, Freight, Maersk, Power & Industrial Projects (P&IP) and Travel. Finance is the defending champion.
Kanoo Inter-Division Leagues are conducted by Kanoo Group of Companies all over the Kingdom for its employees and those associated with it through joint venture, subsidiaries and associates as part of its corporate policy to promote sports in general and cricket in particular.