YANBU, 12 March 2004 — A sterling performance by Yanbu Cricket League XI’s Shabaz Aslam helped YCL to a thumping victory against the Madina Cricket Association XI in the intercity match played at the YCL ground in Yanbu.
Abdul Jabbar, president of YCL, the President of Central Cricket Control Board and JCL President Shahid Amin, Khalid Khan, vice-president of YCL, Farooq Jamal Khatri, manager of YCL were on hand to witness the match.
Nasrullah Bhatti of YCL won the toss and invited MCA to bat. Eijaz and Rashid farmed the early YCL pace attack and Nasrullah introduced spin in the eighth over by bringing in Dr Aamir. This move paid dividends as he forced Rashid to step out to his flighted delivery and Shakeel did the rest behind the wicket. Rashid scored 23 runs with the help of four fours. The first wicket partnership was worth 72 runs in 7.3 overs. Ahsan Butt replaced Rashid as Nasrullah introduced a double spin attack by asking Iftikhar to bowl. Iftikhar, in his second over, got Eijaz out, caught behind by Shakeel for 46. Eijaz hit 8 fours and one six. Manzoor joined Ahsan Butt, who had a muscle pull at this stage and asked for a runner. Trying to accelerate the run rate the batsmen started to throw their bat and in the process Ahsan was run out to a direct hit by Rizwan for 10 runs. Ramzan did not last long and was stumped by Shakeel off the bowling of Iftikhar for 12 with the total at 124. Fida was next out for 17 but Hammad brought some respectability to the total to the score with determined play but a brilliant one hand running catch by young Salman off Farooq Sheikh got Ahsan (47) out. Farooq was the most successful bowler for YCL with three for 46 runs. Dr Aamir and Iftikhar took two wickets each for 43 runs, Rizwan and Farooq Sheikh took one wicket each as MCA was out for 268.
YCL began aggressively with Shabaz and Shakeel sharing an opening wicket partnership of 117 runs in 12 overs before a mix up between the batsman and a stunning direct hit by Hammad ran Shakeel out for 29 With Shabaz continuing aggressively at one end, the second wicket partnership was worth 71 runs before Ifam was caught by Razeed for 20 (2 fours) off the bowling of Iftikhar. Farooq made a quickfire 20 before he was out for 20 off the bowling of Khalid. Rizwan and Shabaz then ensured that no further damage was done as they reached the required runs in 32.4 overs. Shabaz remained not out at 177 (22 fours and 4 sixes) and was declared man of the match. A prize distribution ceremony was held after the match. YCL General Secretary (technical) Tariq Mahmood welcomed the Chief Guest Fouad Saruaji and congratulated Khalid Khan, vice president of YCL and the manager, for YCL’s overwhelming victory. He thanked Royal Commission, Al Yasrah Est., Jotun Paints, Lubrizol, Saudi Aramco, Zomco and Al Sinani Establishment for their continuous support and cooperation to promote the cricket in Yanbu area and in Saudi Arabia. YCL President Jabbar Hussain thanked the Director of Royal Commission Fouad Saruoji for attending the function. He also thanked Adnan Hadriy of Social Service Department RC for his support and keen interest in the game. He thanked Shahid Amin and Iqbal Chaudhary, executive general secretary of JCL for their encouragement and promotion of cricket in the Kingdom. He thanked Syed Zahid Ali, president of Madina Cricket Association and Hashmat Qazi, vice president of Madina Cricket Association for accepting the invitation to play the match. He had a special word of thanks to the reception committee of YCL comprising of Maqsood Ali; Iqbal Patel; Riaz Ahmed; Dr, Aamir and Basharat Ali who worked with dedication to make the stay of guests as comfortable as possible. The MCA team stayed at Radwa Plaza Guest House.
He thanked F.M Patel, Fareed Zaki, Khalid Khan, Naseem Rais, Hamid Hussaini, Aqil Khan, Asif Khan, Khalid Khan (KK) and Akram Qureshi(YCL) for their support to make the event a grand success. Jabbar lauded Shabaz Baig, the head of technical committee and chief selector of YCL, for his guidance and support.
Saruji expressed RC’s continuous support and appreciated the dedication and hard work of YCL in organizing such an entertaining event in Yanbu. He also commended KK, the scorer Hamza, umpires Shankar and Imaz for their services.
Shahid Amin thanked Jabbar Hussain for providing such a great entertaining event in Yanbu and admired the teamwork of YCL members. He said YCL and MCA as left and right wings of JCL and stated that the YCL had the only flood lit cricket stadium in Saudi Arabia. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is already aware of this excellent facility, he said.
Syed Zahid, the President of Madina Cricket Association (MCA) thanked YCL for the wonderful arrangement and the hospitality offered to his team.
