JEDDAH, 9 April 2004 — The 15th Kanoo League sponsored by Kanoo Group of Companies and organized by JCL got under way with 10 teams participating in the Premier Division playing each other on a round robin basis the top four teams going for the knock-out to decide the winners and runners-up. The participating teams are Contraco, IDB, Kanoo, Mahmood Saeed, Saudia Milk, Sadafco, SGB Baroom, SGB Green, UMA and Young Athlete.
Mahmood Saeed, Kanoo and SGB Baroom starting on the right foot winning their opening week matches. While Mahmood Saeed scored a comfortable 8 wicket win over Contraco, Kanoo outplayed UMA by 5 wickets whereas previous league winners SGB Baroom had a cakewalk win over Young Athlete by 6 wickets.
Mahmood Seed openers Irfan and Kashif gave their team a brisk start in chase of Contrtaco total of 247 for 7 in 35 overs. Kashif was in boisterous mood scoring a quick-fire 27 of 14 balls with 4 fours and a six.
Irfan was in equally aggressive mood scoring a polished 65 of 49 balls with 7 fours. With their departure Asgar (80 n.o.) and Kamran (44 n.o.) held the fort building up a match winning unbeaten partnership of 117 runs for the 3rd wicket.
Asgar was his usual self scoring mostly in singles with the occasional boundary in all hitting 6 fours while Kamran matched him ball by ball for a superb 44 to take Mahmood Saeed to 248 for 2 in 29.3 overs — a comfortable 8 wicket win. Earlier Contraco had scored 247 for 7 with Rashid scoring an elegant 78 inclusive of 4 fours and useful contributions from the blade of Kaleem (28), Shiraz (20), and Irfan (26). Amjad (2 for 53) and Irfan (3 for 34) did most of the damage.
Kanoo coming back into Premier Division after playing one league in Division 1 quickly bundled out UMA for a paltry 160 in 27 over. Kanoo spinners Zubair, Azam and Wasif unleashed their spin weaponry to telling effect as together they shared all 10 wickets amongst them. UMA batsmen went for their shots too early playing against the spin. Azam started the slide picking up 2 early wickets for 24 runs and Wasif removed the middle order taking 3 for 39.
Later Zubair bowling his slow left arm spin took 5 for 21 and wiped off the tail as UMA slid from 135 for 3 to 160 all out. Only Kaiser with a sedate 60 prevented further disaster and was supported by Khalid (27) and Wasim (24).
In reply Kanoo comfortably reached their target scoring 163 for 5 in 25.2 overs. Wasif (43) and Azam (41 N.o.) continuing the good work with the bat after shining with the ball and were supported by Nadeem Amin who chipped in with 26 while Maqbool of UMA picked up 3 for 35.
SGB Baroom the previous league winners bowled well to restrict Young Athlete to a moderate score of 228 for 8 in 35 overs. Tariq was the pick of the bowlers as he mesmerized the batsmen with his subtle spin taking 4 for 50 and Mujahid took 2 for 37 runs. For Young Athlete opener Nadeem (40) started the innings on a brisk pace in company of Arif (23).
However they collapsed to 104 for 4 but then a superb 110 runs partnership between Hussain who scored a brilliant 81 runs with 6 fours and Shakeel (30) saw their team recover and reach 214 for 4 but then collapsed again to 228 for 8.
In reply SGB Baroom began well with opener Niaz scoring a quick 48 runs with 4 fours but then slipped to 88 for 3. However Manjeet and Moiz steadied the rocking boat with a 135 runs match winning partnership to see their team through at 231 for 4 in 28.5 overs.
Manjeet played the senior role scoring 69 well timed runs with the help of 7 fours and Moiz hit a sedate 62 runs to remain unbeaten as SGB Baroom romped home by 6 wickets.
