JEDDAH: The second Ford Jeddah Champions Trophy tennis cricket tournament takes off at the Sulemania ground from Friday.

The JCT committee members finalized the 16 teams, the draw which was held in presence of all the team captains.

The teams have been divided into four groups and the matches will be played on a league-cum-knockout basis. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super 8s.

The winners of the Super 8, which will be played on a knockout basis, will qualify for the semifinals, which will be held on Feb. 28 followed by the final on March. 7.

The league matches will consist of 12 overs, out of which the first three will be powerplay overs.

The semifinals and final will be a 15-over innings, the first four overs being powerplay.

On the eve of the draw, JCT Chairman and the captain of host team Azizia Deccan-Ali Mohammed Khan said “The preparation of pitches for the tournament has already started and are expected to be ready by Sunday. It’s a tough job conducting such a tournament but the guys are leaving no stone unturned in making sure each and every team is extended perfect hospitality throughout the tournament. We wish every team a successful tournament and expect all the teams to coordinate in making this tournament a great success.”

When asked about Azizia Deccan’s successful campaign in the recently held Jeddah Premier league, and their chances in this season of JCT he said, “It has been an outstanding journey. After not being able to make an impact in the inaugural season of JCT, the boys have worked really hard and given their best throughout the tournament to secure a major trophy”. He went on to add “Off course the boys’ morale is high, but we are not looking too forward ahead. It’s a long tournament and we would like to take each game at a time. We just hope to give our best and look forward for a positive result”.

Teams: Azizia Deccan, Barkatiya 11, Ford Titans, Twin Cities Champions, Famous XI, El-Seif Strikers, Empower Contracting, Kings XI Hyderabad, HBK-XI, Super Chargers, Azizia XI, Jeddah Warriors Cricket Club, Eleven Brothers, Konkan XI, Hyderabad Royals, Independence Cricket Club.