PAK Crescent ‘A’ got the better of Kashmir XI and emerged champion in Moneygram 6 overs championship final played at Royal Commission Ground, Yanbu, recently.
Pak Crescent thus qualified for the Champions League along with KFSH Blue of RCA and Al-Ghamdi XI of EPCA, while the winner of WPCA will be decided today.
The tournament played under the patronage of Saudi Cricket Center is sponsored by Moneygram Transfer Services and managed by local Associations in their respective domains.
In the final, put into bat first after they lost the toss Red Crescent racked up 74 for 3. Sagheer was the highest scorer with an unbeaten 25 while Sarfaraz got 18. Kashmir XI were restricted to 54. Mohsin Shah of Pak Crescent took 3 for 14 in one over.
In the first semifinal Jotun Paints were bundled out for 31 as Kashmir XI reached the winning post of 35 for no loss off 24 balls. In the other semifinal Crystal XI scored 56 for 4 in the allotted overs with Ahmadullah the highest scorer with 31. Pak Crescent in reply achieved their victory target and scored 56 for 1 off 26 balls. Arif Anwar remained unbeaten on 31.
Earlier in the first quarterfinal Pak Green went down to Kashmir XI after they scored 44 for 4. Kashmir XI achieved 46 for 4 off 32 balls. Hamid made 21. Crystal XI won against Indoor Riders by 19 runs after they put on board 56 in the second quarterfinal. Jotun Paints defeated GT Warriors by 4 wickets. Pak Crescent stroked 73 for 3 against Saudi XI. Arif Anwar top-scored with 39. Saudi XI in reply managed 52 for 3.
At the WPCA
OTEX caused the biggest the upset of the tournament when they beat Crown Steel in a tense match of the knockout stage.
OTEX setup a target of 70 runs with the help of Irfan’s 38. It was an achievable target for Crown Steel. However, it was not to be as wickets fell at regular intervals and the Steelmen could reach only 65 runs.
In another match, Johnson Control piled up 90 for 1. Khubab blasted an unbeaten 51 while Asad scored 34 not out. Natcom replied with 66 for 4. Jameel stroked 25. Amir bagged 2 for 10. Hala Academy White scored 70 for 3 with with Furqan’s 39. Shahid took 2 for 8. In reply Orbital Horizon were bowled out for 37.
Another tournament favorite, My Care Hala racked up 125 for 3 against New Young Stars. Kashif Shafeeq blasted 52 while Wahid Nasir was unbeaten on 43. Maqsood took 2 for 17. Stars replied with 57 for 2. Bilal Ahmed scored 32 not out. Al Saudi XI tallied 85 for 4. Moiz Imran smashed 57. ALJ Toyota could get to 60 for 5. Imran Rana made 34. Naveed took 2 for 3. AOT Youngsters made 58 for 2 through Malik 39. QRCC achieved the victory target of 59 for 1 as Abdulrauf scored 33. Contraco posted 87 for 2. Irfan top-scored with 55 Shahid took 2 for 12. Mazco reached 88 without loss. Thanks to Shahid’s unbeaten 50 while Haroon was unbeaten on 36.
Hala Academy Blue piled up 79 for 4 through Ramazan 25 not out. Bilal took 2-6. Zultrack equaled 79 for 2 to tie the match. Bilal contributed 45. The result was decided through Super over during which Zultrack scored 14 runs. Hala Blue managed 15. AOT Al Farooq piled up 92 for 2. Naeem Shah smashed 58 runs while Faisal contributed 25. IDB replied with 80 for 3 through Khalid Butt 46. Naeem Shah took 2 for 12.
Strong contender of the WPCA title, Dopco Stars plundered 114 for 2 with Nadeem hammered 65 while Shahbaz Rashid got 31. M Q Group managed 83 for 2. Babar hit 45.
