JEDDAH: The 19th Kanoo Inter Division cricket league kicked off with BDP Logistics and Finance on a roll with 2 wins each in the first two weeks matches played. While BDP defeated Machinery, Travel and P&IP, Finance got the better of P&IP and Machinery. The tournament is being sponsored by Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo Group and co-sponsored by AXA Insurance and Maersk Sealand.

The 5 teams participating in the event are: BDP Logistics, Finance, Machinery, Power & Industrial Projects (P&IP) and Travel. The tournament is conducted on a league-cum-knockout format.

In the first match, BDP Logistics openers Inshaf (18) and Oliver 53 not out were able to contribute 60 runs for first wicket but soon after Inshaf’s departure only Siras (22) was able to support Oliver to reach 128 runs in 12 overs. In reply Machinery started on a roll with opener Vatshan (26) going for the kill with support from Fahim (11) and Naseef (10) but thereafter started losing wickets at regular intervals needing 9 runs of the last over but Imran Sheradi with his experience bowled well to tie the match with scores equal and points shared.

Man-of-the-Match: Oliver

In the other match, P&IP got off to a good start with Razi Momin (60) racing to his half century in no time with support from and old warhorse Shafi (20), however rest of the batsmen could not contribute to the score and were restricted to 123 runs in 12 overs. Izan and Sami khan took 2 wickets each. In reply Finance knocked off the runs 124 with ease in just 8.3 overs with extra ordinary batting performance by Sami Khan who scored his customary flamboyant unbeaten 74 runs and along with Asad — 29 not out gave Finance easy win by 7 wickets. For P&IP only Ehtesham got 2 wickets which could not do much damage to Finance.

Man-of-the-Match: Sami Khan

Later, BDP Logistics openers Nuhman (10) and Yaser (41) gave a good start which was built further by Zahir (29) and Imran Sheradi (24) to enable BDP Logistics reach an imposing score of 166 in 12 overs. Yasas of Travel took 4 wickets and got good support from Venkatesh who chipped in with 2 wickets. Chasing a huge total Travel succumbed and were bundled out for a paltry 73 runs ass none of their batsmen could tackle the sharp penetrative bowling of Shyam who picked up 2 wickets while Fahim, Imran, Shiras and Zahir picked up a wicket each to give BDP Logistics a big win by 107 runs.

Man-of-The-Match: Yaser

Finance put on an impressive show to score 132 runs in 12 overs with Sami Khan once again being the thorn for the opposition scoring his customary half century – 60 runs with support from Asad (14) and Ashfaq (21). Fahim picked up 5 scalps while Vatshan took 2 wickets. Chasing 132 runs was not easy for Machinery after losing both openers early, however Fahim (15), Ayub (14), Ashfaq (10) and Suresh (11) managed decent scores but they could only manage 105 runs as Ashfaq picked up 3 wickets to finish with fine all round performance as Finance won by 27 runs to top the table with 5 points.

Man-of-the Match: Ashfaq

In the last match, BDP Logistics raced to 144 in their 12 overs. Mohammed Inshaf scored a stylish 30 runs while Oliver batted patiently initially but launching his fusillade to score an unbeaten 46 while Imran chipped in with a quick-fire unbeaten 20 in just 5 balls. Shafi took 3 wickets and was supported by Bashir and Najaf taking a wicket each to restrict BDP Logistics. Chasing a big total P&IP lost openers for 13, however desperate attempt by Shafi (10) and Rafiuddin (15) to accelerate failed as none of the others contributed and were bundled out for 91 to give BDP Logistics a big win by 53 runs as Fahim picked up 4 wickets for 19.

Man of the Match Fahim of BDP Logistics — 4 for 19 runs