JEDDAH, 27 December 2002 — UMA and Saudi Perfumes scraped past Kanoo and IDB with exciting wins by 14 runs and 2 wickets respectively in the 6th week matches of the 14th Kanoo League (Premier Division). Elsewhere, Saudia won over Traco by 7 wickets and Mahmood Saeed recorded a 6 wickets win over SGB Baroom as Maqbool scored a superb 127 runs whereas Rashid Butt valiant 137 runs went in vain. UMA raced to an exciting win by 13 runs over Kanoo. They scored 277 before being all out. Leading the way was Kaiser who scored a brilliant century and was finally out for 117 runs of 77 balls. He received valuable support from Khalid Butt (44), Farooq (24) and Naveed (37). Wasif picked up 3 for 47 and Naeem Amin 2 for 54. In reply Kanoo openersMuhammad and Wasif put on 124 runs in 11.4 overs and laid a solid foundation.Muhammad scored 65 and Wasif after his good bowling spell scored 56 runs. Later Nadeem Amin (35), Zahid (21) and Naeem Amin (28) continued the good work but then a collapse saw Kanoo go down from 222 for 3 to 263 all out in 32 overs. Khalid, Mohsin and Waseem picked up 2 wickets each as UMA stun Kanoo with a 14 run win. Saudi Perfumes also raced to an exciting 2 wicket win as they chased 229 runs.
Although they lost 3 wickets for 54 runs, Kashif (55) and Talah (41) steadied the situation with a match winning partnership of 74 runs but with their departure suffered a mini collapse from 128 for 3 to 186 for 7, however Wajid (27) and Amjad (23) ensured that their team was well on course to a win which was achieved by scoring 231 for 8 in 31.4 overs. Although Abdullah (3 for 34), Fayaz (2 for 47) and Shoaib (2 for 37) bowled exceeding well, it was just a bit short for a win.
Earlier IDB scored 229 runs Fayaz (51) and Shoaib (71) had laid a solid foundation for IDB by putting on 106 for the 1st wicket. With their departure wickets fell at regular intervals and barring Abid (33) and Abdullah (21), others succumbed to the bowling of Amjad (3 for 26) and were all out for 229. Rashid Butt led SGB Baroom to an imposing score of 274 all out as he scored a brilliant 137 runs. He punished all the bowlers as he put on 94 for the 1st wicket with Shoaib (33), 52 for the 2nd with Tariq (21) and 80 for the 3rd with Hammad (22). Rashid took bulk of the strike and raced to 50 of 30 balls and to 100 of 62 balls and was finally dismissed for 137 of 75 balls inclusive of 14 fours and a six. With his departure SGB Baroom collapsed from 242 for 3 to 274 all out as Shahid (4 for 42) wrapped up the tail and was supported by Saleem Kapadia (2 for 41) and Irfan (2 for 37). In reply Maqbool led Mahmmod Saeed with a spirited fight-back as he along with Irfan led the chase scoring at 10 an over right through. They put on 186 runs for the opening wicket with Maqbool being the more aggressive hitting 6 sixes and 13 fours in his entertaining knock of 127 runs of only 62 balls, his century coming of only 48 balls.
Irfan gave him good support as he raced to 79 runs with 7 fours. Saleem Nahdi scored 20 and Farooq 21 as Mahmood Saeed reached the target of 275 for 4 in only 27.4 overs. Saudia Milk raced past Traco score scoring 233 for 3 in 34 overs. Javed (27) and Syed Amer (37) put on 55 runs for the opening wicket before being separated. Thereafter Arif (71 not out) and Abbas (53) put on 91 runs for the 3rd wicket. Arif was in good knick as he remained un beaten till the end to guide his team to a 7 wicket win.
Anees kept him company in the end with an un beaten 23 runs. Earlier Traco had managed to score 231 runs before being all out. Azeem played the sheet anchor as he scored and elegant 74 runs, he was given good support by Faisal Ilyas (30), Adil (23) and in the end Iftikhar used the long handle to good effect in scoring 47 inclusive of 4 sixes and 2 fours. Iftikhar (3 for 56), Khalid (2 for 35) and Arshad (2 for 38) bowled s tight line to scuttle Traco for 231 in 31 overs. (A. A. Merchant)
