JEDDAH, 23 November — Jeddah Cricket League tournament sponsored by Kanoo Group, in the second division witnessed eight matches. New entrants Sado Zai registered a thumping victory against Team DDB, thanks to a splendid 131 not out by Ajaz Ahmed. Saudia City and Saudi Perfume won in a nail biting finish against Hempel Paints and Otis. SGI bundle out KAIA and Saudi Majestique win by 9 wickets against Tamgo resulting in one sided encounters.
At the Otis ground Sado Zai won the toss and elected to bat against Team DDB. They piled up 203 runs for the loss of five wickets. Opener Ajaz Ahmed was in full cry; he hammered 131 runs with 15 boundaries and carried the bat. Taher and Hammad took two wickets each. In reply Team DDB was bowled out for 102. Only the second wicket partnership of 51 between Taher (26) and Nadeem (29) offered some resistance. Rest of the batsmen just made a beeline to the pavilion. Khawar bowled well to take four wickets for just 15 runs. Sado Zai won by 101 runs.
At the Zuhair Zahran ground Saudi Perfume made the required runs with just four balls to go against Otis in a thrilling encounter. Batting first Otis made 137 for 8 in the allotted 18 overs. Otis started with a good 71 run opening stand between Sadath (33) and Imran (33), one down batsman Amir made (25). Batsmen, who followed, did not capitalize on the good start. Amodi 4 for 33 and Atif 2 for 30 were amongst the wickets. In reply Saudi Perfume openers Wahaj (25) and Abidi (20) provided a steady start. One down batsman, Shahid with a splendid knock of 61 not out, kept the run rate in sight and needing 4 runs in last over, got them of the first two balls. Saudi Perfume made 138 for the loss of three wickets and an exciting win by 7 wickets. At the Hempel Paints ground, host Hempel lost by two runs, in an exiting match against Saudia City. Batting first Saudia city made 169 for 4 in the 18 allotted overs. A 130 run second wicket partnership between Nadeem (68) and Kamal (66) was eventually broken by Amjad Hasan (2 for 27). In reply Hempel paints made 167 for 7. Arif Hashmy opened the innings and batted with confidence to make 68. Khusroo scored 26. Kamal 3 for 19 and Asif 3 for 24 were the main wicket takers. Saudia City managed to restrict Hempel Paints and score a spine-tingling victory.
At the KAIA ground, SGI defeated host KAIA by 72 runs. In a 20 over match SGI were bowled out in the last over for 142. Qamer A. (30), Abdul Rab (28) and Tariq (33) were the main run getters. Muqeet 3 for 18, S. Azeem 3 for 19 and Akbar 2 for 36 were successful with the ball. Chasing a low total KAIA succumbed to 70 all out. Rehmat 3 for 6 in four overs and Mujeeb 2 for 16 were responsible for the batting collapse.
At the Hempel Paints ground Afkar Pro7 won by 22 runs against AWH Rangers. Batting first Afkar Pro7 made 168 for 3 in an 18 over match. Nizar (39) and Parwesh (90 n.o.) scored the runs. In reply AWH Rangers made 147 for 7. Abid (25) and Aftab (37) batted well. Azhar 2 for 23 and Nabeel 2 for 24 were the main wicket takers.
At the Attar ground, Saleheen lost to Al Rabie Foods by 7 wickets. Saleheen batted first and made 127 for 5 in 20 overs. Mohd Arif (48) and Akib (20) contributed to the score. Hamdi took two wickets. He later opened the innings for Al Rabie Foods to score 47 along with Rohan (50). Al Rabie Food easily reached the target in 10.4 overs making 130 for the loss of 3 wickets. In another match Saudi Majestique defeated Tamgo by nine wickets. In the match Pak Roshan vs. Ali Reza, in the allotted 20 overs, Pak Roshan made 180 for 8. Asif B. (21), M. Aslim (64) and Roshan (20) were the main scorers. (Syed Majeedul Hasan)
