RIYADH, 26 April 2005 — Travel A lifted the Eighth Kanoo-Norwich Union Insurance Inter-Division Cricket Tournament beating Accounts-Machinery in the finals at Kanoo Grounds here.
Sent into bat by Accounts-Machinery captain Haider Ali, Travel A started badly losing both their openers Amin and Onray at their individual socres of 5 runs.
Syed Zakiuddin joined Lakmal and together and they were involved in 44 runs partnership for the 3rd wicket. Both departed in quick succession - Lakmal scored 24 (1X4, 1X6) while Zakiuddin top-scored with 33 runs which contained 3 hits to the fence.
After their exit the suceeding batsmen could not capitalize and Travel A lost wickets at regular intervals and eventually were bowled out for 99. For Accounts-Machinery, Haider Ali Kalai (3 for 21) was the most successful bowler, while Kiri, Rajesh and Jinesh took 2 wickets each conceding 24, 17 and 23 runs respectively.
Chasing a reachable score, Accounts-Machinery also started badly losing their opening batsman Gopa cheaply. Felix Pappachan joined Hari Prasad and took the score to 42. Felix (15, 1X4) was run out brilliantly by Zakiuddin. Sohail Shaikh joined Hari Prasad, both batted sensibly took ones and twos and pushed the score to 78. At this juncture Travel A captain Furqan introduced Zakiuddin into the attack. He immediately obliged with Hari Prasad’s wicket and this changed the course of the match. Hari Prasad made 29 runs. After his exit only Sohail Shaikh (21, 1X4) offered some resistance. Accounts-Machinery batsman threw their wickets, folded like tenpins and was all out for 84 thus giving Travel A victory by 15 runs.
For Travel A Lakmal, Vickram, Syed Zakiuddin and Furqan all bowled well and bagged 2 wickets each conceding 18, 27, 13 and 26 runs respectively.
Lakmal was adjudged Man of the Match for his all-round performance.
The tournament was sponsored by Air India, Sri Lankan Airline, Gulf Air, Norwich Union Insurance and Zaina International.
In an impressive prize distribution ceremony, Condard Nazareth welcomed the guests. James Milne Area Manager Central Province YBA Kanoo gave away the prizes and Shailender Phillips thanked all sponsors, players, guests and Kanoo family for their excellent support.
The special prizes were as follows:
Man of the Tournament Syed Sadiqulla, (Services P&IP),Best all Mohammed Tabrez (Services, P&IP), Best Batting Average Zubair (Travel A), Best Bowling Average Syed Zakiuddin, (Travel A), Best Wicket Keeper Shaik (Travel B), Best Fielder Felix Pappachan (Accounts/Machinery),
Highest Score in an innings Vickram (Travel A), Highest wickets in tournament Haider Ali Kalai (Accounts-Machinery).
