JEDDAH, 26 March 2004 — In the semifinals of SGB Baroom-sponsored Friday League, SGB Baroom beat UMA comfortably and Islamic Development Bank (IDB) surprised Contraco. The league is run by Jeddah Cricket League.
Niaz Steers SGB Baroom to Victory: UMA posted a fighting tally of 262 runs in its allotted overs but SGB Baroom crossed the target with an over to spare and 6 wickets in hand. UMA openers Khalid Butt (28 — 3 fours and a six) and Ashfaq (38 — 6 fours) put up 70 runs in 8 overs. Waseeq (3 for 35) accounted for both openers in his 1st over. Qaiser contributed 48 (4 fours), Altaf (18) and Shaukat (32 — 2 sixes) lent support. Waseem Senior cracked 3 fours in his contribution of 27 and Waseem Junior added 25 (2 fours). Sohail (4 for 47), Manjeet (1 for 45) and Usman (1 for 24) bowled well.
SGB Baroom lost Rashid Butt (13) at 52. But Niaz played a superb innings of 121, studded with 10 boundaries. He cut and drove with full command and pierced the field time and again with ease. Shoaib (64) was content to score singles and doubles. Niaz and Shoaib shared 146 runs. Manjeet hit 27 n.o. (3 fours), Zeeshan contributed 18 as SGB Baroom was home in 34th over. Waseem claimed 2 for 57 runs. Qaiser had one for 49 runs.
Tawwad Bowls IDB To Victory: Contraco, who led the points table before the knockout stage, werer made to pay for their casual approach as it lost to IDB by 101 runs.
Khawar (71 — 11 fours and 2 sixes) and Abdullah (56 — 6 fours) played sterling knocks showing a mix of defense with aggression. Abdullah did not scoring in the first 10 balls he faced. Khawar played with full responsibility and purpose. Once well settled, he hit 5 consecutive boundaries off Shakeel’s bowling. Khawar hit 2 towering sixes as the stand yielded 102 runs. Fayyaz (16), Rahsid Malik (23) and Atta (36 — 3 fours) boosted the tally as IDB posted 243. Shiraz (2 for 37), Javed (2 for 59) and (one for 37) bowled well.
Khawar (3 for 35) played an important part with the ball by dismissing both openers of Contraco. Rashid (4) and Kaleem (91) were his victims. Babar (21) and Mohsin (26) tried to steady the innings but Atta (2 for 26) dismissed Babar. Mohsin was 1st of five victims of Jawwad, who with his flighted deliveries had shackled the batsmen. Azeem (22), Shiraz (3), Shakeel (0) and Javaid (0) were his other victims. Contraco was bowled out for paltry 139.
