JEDDAH: A match-winning 59 runs by Irfan Malik enabled Saliheen get the better of Saudia City by 24 runs in one of the first week matches of the Division II Cricket League sponsored by Al Harazi Trading & Contracting Est, and organized by the Jeddah Cricket Association.
In the other matches of the same division, Butt Sports Club scored a comfortable57-run win over new entrants Khulais, while Deccan Knights beat KAIA by 49 runs. In the last match of the day, Al Ghudaid went down to ALJ by 47 runs.
At JCA ground No. ground No.4, Saliheen batting first made 188 for 6 in their allotted overs. Opener Akhlaq made useful 40 runs as Irfan Malik stood firm at one end as he hit a magnificent 59 runs. Later, Ilyas 24, Abdul Razzaq 32 not out propped up their innings to reach 188.
Veteran fast bowler Khalid Karim impressed taking 2 wickets.
In reply the Saudi City made were bowled out for 164 in 18 overs. Akram staged a lone battle for Saudia City scoring 75 runs. The only other batsman who gave him support was Mehbood who made 24.
Abid took 3 wickets while Roofi bagged 2.
At JCA ground No.8 Butt Sports-XI batting first made 179 for 5 in their allotted 18 overs against Khulais Cricketers.
Irfan Butt and Amjad Ali scored 50 and 52 runs respectively. Opener, Imran Butt was the other batsman who contributed 28 runs. Abid and Ali took 2 wickets each.
Khulais Cricketers were bundled out for 122. Aslam (38) and (Ali 23) were their main run getters as the failed to read the slow spin of Junaid Butt who had impressive figures of 5 for 19.
At JCA ground No.7 Deccan Knights made 199 for 8 in their 18 allotted overs. After the early wickets of Umar Swadi and Sameen, Inaythullah stood firm against the KAIA bowlers hitting 54 runs. He was supported by hard-hitting Hyder who made 55.
Asif and Sameer took one wicket each. KAIA in reply made 150 for 4 in 18 overs.
Rubal (41) and Hussain (34) were their main scorers.
At ground No. 6, in a battle between two new entrants, BTC got the better or Reel and Rom by four wickets. Reel and Rom batting first made130 for 6 in 18 overs.
Zia scored an unbeaten 42 runs while skipper Franky David made useful 24 runs and Imran 22. Arif took 3 for 31.
In reply BTC reached their target off 131 for the loss of 6 wickets in 14.2 overs. Naeem (20), Mubashir (24), Awer (23) were the main scorers. Yaqoob took 2 for 26.
At JCA ground No.5, Abdul Lateef Jameel (ALJ) batting first made 139 for 6 in 18 overs. Javed Ali 22, skipper Naeemullah Khan 29 and a match-winning partnership of 69 runs between Javed and Naeemullah was the highlight of ALJ.
Middle order Zahid made valuable 32 runs. Adnan took 3 for 29
In reply Ghudaid were bundled out for a paltry 92 runs & lost the match by 47 runs. Yusuf 36, Babar 13, Nasser 11 put some resistance to the outstanding spin bowling by Tanvir who claimed 5 for 25 while took Zahid 2 for 13 and Rizwan 2 for 15.
