JEDDAH: With the Ford Jeddah Champions reaching its business end, some intense competition was expected as the top eight teams faced off in the quarterfinals. But instead it turned out to be a ride in the park for KSA Blue and Jeddah Warriors as they strolled through the depleted Azizia XI and Warangal CC sides respectively to march into the semifinals.

First it was KSA Blue who after being reduced to 4 for 15 recovered good ground to post a challenging 103 in their allotted 15 overs. Thanks mainly to a sublime 49 by Saleem. In reply, Azizia XI never looked to chase down the target as they kept loosing wickets at regular intervals to eventually fall short by 17 runs.

In another one-sided quarterfinal, JWC restricted Warangal for a paltry 77 in their allotted overs and in return chased down the target with no major hiccups with their opener Fainaas notching up a belligerent 56 off 26 balls to take his team into the semifinals with 39 balls still to spare.

In the third quarterfinal, last season finalists Hyderabad Royals were given some stiff competition by Arabian XI who refused to give up. Hyderabad Royals batted first and posted a healthy 113 with Irfan Khan scoring 38 off 25 balls. In reply, Arabian XI kept loosing wickets at regular intervals but a fighting half century by Yusuf – a former Hyderabad Royals player – kept his side in the hunt until he was finally run out, killing any chance of his team making to the semifinals.

In the last quarterfinal the top two teams of the season Kerala Knight Riders and Reliance Cricket team faced off against each other. Kerala Knight Riders after electing to bat first were off to a super start but were pegged back at crucial junctures to be reduced to 107 in their 15 overs.

In reply Reliance Cricket Team got the worst possible start to be reduced to 4 for 4, but regained good ground and reached their target to score 109 for 9 in a thriller.

Usman 35, and Salah 22 were instrumental in their team’s victory.

The tournament is organized by Team Azizia Deccan under the sponsorship of Ford Al-Jazirah vehicles and co-sponsorship of Trevi ASC (TreviGroup), E-Lounge, Spice Sense, and Unimac with MOA Digital Outdoor Media as its advertisement partner.

Brief scores:

Hyderabad Royals 113 for 6 in 15 overs: (Irfan Khan 38, Fasi 26; Sami 2-17) beat Arabian XI 97 for 9 in 15 overs: (Yusuf 50; Riyaz 2-6) by 16 runs.

Man-of-the-Match: Riyaz.

KSA Blue 103 in 14.4 overs: (Saleem 49; Alam 3 for 12) beat Azizia XI 86 in 14.1 overs: (Shakeel 19; Shaker 3-16) by 18 runs.

Man-of-the-Match: Saleem.

Warangal CC 77 for 9 in 15 overs: (Ifraz 27; Fainas 3-9) lost to Jeddah Warrior CC 81 for 4 in 8.3 overs: (Fainas 56 not out, Himayat 3-11) by 6 wkts.

Man-of-the-Match: Fainas.

BWC KKR 109 for 6: (Shamsu 31, Danny 26; Farhan 3-18) lost to Reliance 110 for 9 in 14.5 overs: (Usman 35, Salah 22; Danny 3-6, Razik 3-20) by 1 wkt.

Man-of-the-Match: Farhan.