ALKHOBAR, 1 February — In the EPCA League sponsored by Khalifa Algosaibi Group, Kanoo beat archrival Alghamdi by 5 wickets. Alghamdi batted first and despite losing both the openers early on 4 runs, they scored 276 runs in their allotted 40 overs. Riaz Saeed joined Khawar Shahzad and both batted with confidence played glorious shots and consolidate the innings by adding 161 runs partnership for the third wicket. Riaz, after scoring 72 useful runs got out. Khawar soon departed after scoring valuable 85 runs caught and bowled by Iqbal Bali in which he hit eight boundaries and a towering six.
Iqbal Bali struck twice again and got the wicket of Nasir and Shahjahan. Sajjad batted well at this stage and scored breezy 39 runs before he missed a flight delivery from Aaffaq while going for a big hit and was smartly stumped by Zulfiqar Goga. Wickets started falling in quick intervals as Affaq sent two more batsmen to pavilion. Munawwar also bowled well and took 2 wickets for 64 runs.
In reply against a good Alghamdi’s score, Kanoo’s openers Munawwar and Goga laid a solid foundation and put on 97 runs partnership for the first wicket in just 12th over. Goga lost his wicket after scoring fine 43 runs in which he hit 4 boundaries and a mighty six. Captain Iqbal Bali joined Munawwar and the pair took the score to 168 runs when Munawwar lost his wicket after scoring very valuable 78 runs in which was included seven hits to the fence.
After Munawwar’s departure Kanoo lost three more quick wickets and it looked as if the match will tilt toward Alghamdi but at this crucial stage of the match Iqbal Bali showed his class, played captain’s innings, batted with full command scored unbeaten 78 runs and took his team to a grand victory.
In another match, Globe Marine beat AlHoda by 4 wickets. AlHoda batted first and scored 264 runs for the loss of 8 wickets. Vijay played a fine knock of 66 runs. Sajjad scored 46 runs, Ikram 28 runs and Naushad contributed 25 runs. In reply, Globe Marine reached the target in the last over. Thanks to Naveed Khan who played the anchor role batted superbly and scored a fine century 128 runs, which was studded with 14 beautiful boundaries and took his team to a fine victory.
In another match, Youngsters beat Hyderabad Blues by 8 wickets. Hyderabad Blues 274 for 8. Wasi batted well and scored unbeaten 87 runs and Prabhakar scored 42 runs. Abid, Mohammad and Aadnan bowled well and took 2 wickets each. In reply youngsters reached the target in the 35th over. Thanks to Waseem and Qayum both batted magnificently and both scored fine centuries and took their team to a wonderful victory.
In another match, Pakistani School stun Khalifa AlGosaibi and beat them by 36 runs. Pakistani School batted first and scored 196 runs. Abid 27 runs was the top scorer. Parwez bowled well and took 4 wickets and Haseen claimed two wickets. In reply Khalifa algosaibi were all out for 160 runs. Eijaz batted well and scored a fine half century but in vain. Asif bowled very well and took 4 wickets for 21 runs Muqeem took two wickets for 36 runs.
In another match, Rainbow beat SWCC by 206 runs. Rainbow batted first and scored 349 runs for the loss of 6 wickets. Zulfiqar scored a fine century. Akram also batted well and scored 72 runs, Nadeem scored breezy 46, Khawaja scored 33 runs and Saleem contributed 28 runs. In reply, SWCC were all out for 143 runs.
In another match, Arab Pak beat DHL by 7 wickets. DHL 185 all out Jairaj was the top scorer with 40 runs.Naeem, Iqbal and Murtuza bowled well and claimed 2 wickets each. Arab Pak reached the target in the 27th over. Kashif and Naeem both scored fine half century and took their team to a fine victory.
