ALKHOBAR, 30 November — In the EPCA Ramadan Cup sponsored by Alkhamisain Hardware, AGE shocked AlGhamdi in a nail-biting finish. AGE batted first and scored 190 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Imran and Waheed scored valuable half centuries and Nadeem contributed 23 runs. Sajjad bowled well and took 3 wickets for 33 runs and Rehan took 2 wickets for 39 runs.
In reply, AlGhamdi suffered an early blow when they lost their opener Sadaqat after scoring only 3 runs brilliantly caught by Abul Hasan off the bowling of Nadeem. Khawar joined Nasir and the pair consolidate their innings and put on 106 runs partnership for the 2nd wicket. After scoring very useful 43 Nasir lost his wicket off the bowling of Imran. Khawar scored fine half century but after his departure AlGhamdi lost three more quick wickets. Safdar scored breezy 24 runs and carried his team close to victory target. In the last 2 overs AlGhamdi needed 23 runs. They got 17 in the 19th over but lost the wicket of Shahjahan and Rehan in the last over of Nadeem who bowled very well and led his team to a great victory. Nadeem took 3 wickets for 27 runs and Imran got 2 wickets for 46 runs.
In another close contest, YATA shocked Kanoo by 8 wickets. Kanoo batted first and scored 163 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. Munawwar scored a fine half century. Qaisar contributed 38 runs and Eijaz Saeed added 26 runs against his name. Naeem Waraich bowled brilliantly and claimed 5 wickets for 23 runs. In reply, YATA reached the target in the 19th over. Naeem and Saeed lost their wickets early but Shahzad and Nadeem batted confidently as both scored unbeaten half centuries. Nadeem particularly was in tremendous form as he scored an unbeaten 57 runs including 4 huge sixes and 2 superb boundaries and took his team to a wonderful victory.
In another match, Saudi Pan Gulf beat Saudi Ready Mix by 8 wickets. S.R.Mix batted first and scored 166 runs. Rizayat batted well and scored 76 runs which included seven hits to the fence and a fine six. Junaid and Talal bowled well and took 2 wickets each. In reply, Saudi Pan Gulf reached the target in the 16th over. Thanks to Talal Iqbal who batted magnificently and scored unbeaten 73 runs and took his team to a deserve victory. Hamid Jameel also batted very well and scored breezy 67 runs and put on 106 for the first wicket and laid the winning foundation.
In another match, Pak Arab beat Youngsters in yet another close contest. Pak Arab batted first and scored 169 runs. Akhter scored a fine half century, Iqbal scored 46 and Arshad chipped in with quick 24 runs. Ishaq bowled well and took 3 wickets for 20 runs and Shahnawaz claimed 2 wickets for 32 runs. In reply, Youngsters could only manage to score 154 runs in their allotted 18 overs. A.Qayoum scored a fine half century, Zulfiqar 33 runs and Mohammad contributed 29 runs. Mansoor bowled very well and took 3 wickets for 36 runs.
