JEDDAH: MCH Premier lifted the Ace Initial SPL T20 with 7 wicket win over Ace Travel thanks to a superb unbeaten 113 by skipper Baber which overshadowed the brilliant century by Abdul Wahid (102) that helped Ace Travel to 189 all out.

Baber and Shahbaz, who scored an unbeaten 54 runs, put on 180 runs unbeaten partnership for the 4th wicket to take MCH to 193 for 3 after they were reduced to 13 for 3. The Ace Initial SPL is sponsored jointly by Ace Travel and Tours and Initial Service Group and co-sponsored by ALS Borderless, Jotun, Khind Electronics, Mizo Juices, Pepsi and UT Lines.

At the jampacked JCA Complex Baber of MCH and Parvez of Ace went out to toss, the latter winning and deciding to bat on superb wicket and well compacted outfield. Ace most prolific pair of Abdul Wahid and Moazzam had to negotiate brilliant bowling – fast pace of Adnan and subtle swing of Imran both with a plan to contain the explosive Ace openers. After steady start Ace lost Moazam (8) who tried to free the shackles and ended being caught on the fence off Imran who went on to claim Shehzad (4) while Maqsood (8) was bowled by Abu Huraira.

Ace were reeling at 45 for 3 at which stage skipper Parvez joined Wahid who kept his cool, they built innings with a clear strategy Parvez rotating strike while Wahid going for calculated well timed shots and soon raced to his 50 off 31 balls, the next 50 came off 17 balls as 2 overs fetched 23 and 24 runs. Ace recovered to 154 for 3 when disaster struck with dismissal of Wahid (102 — 11 fours, 6 sixes) run-out by a superb throw from long off. Kashif and Parvez followed soon.

Ace collapsed to 189 all out as MCH bowlers Jameel (3 for 22), Imran (2 for 25), Abu Huraira (2 for 32) contained them. Such was the dominance of Wahid that he scored 102 of the total with extras 20 and Parvez 17 as none other batsmen reached double figures.

MCH was soon in trouble as they lost Nadeem (0), Kashif (0) and Qamar (10) dismissed by Sami and Iftikhar within 8 balls with the total at 13 for 3. It looked as if MCH may struggle to reach the target but in stepped Baber to join Shahbaz and they went about repairing the damage and building the innings. Baber tore the field apart with crispy fours and soon reached his 50 off 28 balls and then opened up with 6s to reach his century off 52 balls ending unbeaten on 113 off 57 balls. Shahbaz was content to play second fiddle and opened up at the end to remain unbeaten on 54 . The pair put on unbeaten 180 to give MCH a 7 wicket win with 16 balls to spare. It was an absorbing final with good bowling from both sides and 2 centuries, one from each team.

Present at the prize distribution ceremony included chief guest Sohail Tanvir Pakistan T20 Specialist, Mohammed Bandukji and Mohammed Afzal of Initial Services, Mohammed Ali Jarrar of Ace Travel – the joint sponsors, Afzal Sheikh and Sulaiman Shariff of ALS Borderless, Faisal Karim and Muzakkir Bukhari of Jotun, Ismail Yamani of Khind Electronics, Syed Ayub of UT Lines – the co-sponsors and Salman Dajani of Kanoo.

Mohammed Bandukji of Initial Group was impressed with arrangements made by JCA for an event of this magnitude and promised not only his management support but also participation of cricket team in JCA. Mohammed Ali Jarrar of Ace Travel Group was grateful to JCA for giving Ace the priority in sponsoring such a prestigious League as SPL and assured JCA of their managements continuous support.

Awards: Best Batsman Qamar Awan of MCH 758 runs, Best Bowler Adnan Liaqat of MCH 31 wickets, Best All-Rounder Abdul Quddus of Pepsi Deccan Knight 621 runs and 23 wickets. Double Hundred 209 by Moazzam of Ace Travel, Hatrick by Farooq Pasha and Wajid Samdhani of Pepsi Deccan Knights.