JEDDAH, 10 April 2005 — Juffali Michelin won a nail-biting finish match against strong Deccan Blues team, Afkar promo-7 topped Kanoo by 15 runs in a closely contested match while Shalimar (AAA) got a big 57-run win against KAIA in the 10th week matches of the Western Union League for Division-I organized by the Jeddah Cricket League (JCL) and sponsored by the Western Union Money Transfer Company.
At JCL-1 Juffali, batting first, made a respectable total of 163 for 5 in the allotted 18 overs. Opener Zahid, a lanky stroke maker who generally bat in the middle order, went on to rampage the Deccan Blues bowlers as he hit an patient unbeaten knock of 73 runs including four hits to the fence. The young Omer Riaz , who is consistent with the bat, hit 23 runs, Imran made quick fire 33 while Akram contributed 13. runs. Aamer took 2 for 25 while Badar & Almas managed to grab a wicket each for DBCC.
In reply the Blues were in trouble as their stylish southpaw opener Qudoos lost his wicket cheaply for 4 but Shabbir, Sadath, Raziuddin & Aamer contributed 42, 35, 31 & 26 valuable runs respectively but the team could not stop losing this match in a nail-biter finishing just three runs short of their victory target as they made 160 for 6.
At JCL-1 Afkar Promo-7, batting first, against Kanoo rattled up a moderate 156 for 5 with the help of their star batsmen Ali 37 (4X4). Faisal 34, Pervez 23 and the two stylish Sri Lankans Shahid Moulana & A.Q.Rumaiz made 23 & 20 runs respectively. The veteran lest arm spinner Shamim Ul Haque took 2 for 25 while Majid & Shoaib managed one wicket each for Kanoo.
Replying to the moderate total of Afkar the Kanoo batsmen started heavy attack on the Afkar bowlers as Urooj hit 20 and Rashid 34 (6X4) while Imran made 16 runs and bundled out for a paltry 141 all out as captain Rumaiz ripped through the strong batting line up of Kanoo with his out swingers by taking 3 for 41 and the most successful bowler of Afkar Faisal took 4 vital wickets by conceding just 25 runs while Majid, Ali & Siraj the gritty Sri Lankan took one wicket each to give their team win by 15 runs. Aamer Raza, an outstanding fielder of Afkar Promo, showed his class as he saved more than 30 runs and made 2 run outs and a brilliant catch.
At JCL-4 Shalimar which is sponsored by The Arabian Auto Agencies (AAA) in this season made 167 for 4 against KAIA as their star and inform batsman Naveed Nawaz blitzed with yet another quick firing 37 runs with the help of half a dozen boundaries and Tariq Jamal made 24 runs while Mubashir with his usual attacking stroke play made 26. Zain made 36 runs and Rahath added 38 runs, Asif took 2 for 33 while Saeed & Asghar took one wicket each for KAIA. In reply Tahir the main run getter of the team who was not in his usual form clicked nonetheless and made 40 valuable runs with his whirlwind batting as he hit two towering sixes and four hits to the ropes. Abrar had 21 runs in 21 balls the other batsmen failed and KAIA collapsed for just 110 all out against the tidy line & length bowing by Zain ul-Huda & Shahid who took three wickets each and Tariq took two wickets with his left arm spin bowling while Ishaque took a wicket and gave Shalimar (AAA) a big win by 57 runs.
