RIYADH: Mehran Cricket Club scored a comfortable five-wicket win over Pakhtoon Khawa Cricket Club to emerge champion in the MoneyGram Cricket Ke Badshah Twenty20 cricket tournament, held under the guidance of the Saudi Cricket Center and organized by the Riyadh Cricket League at the RCL Complex here. Mehran will represent RCL in the Champions League.

Mehran won the toss and put in Pakhtoon to bat. The decision bore fruit as the bowlers struck early and were happy to see the back of Yousaf Haroon (6), Arshad (2), Kifayath (12) and Kashif (16). However, later in the innings, Naveed (33) and Khalid (54) steadied the rocking boat and put up a respectable total of 155.

Usman Shah bowled well and claimed 3 wickets including hat trick. Assad Khan and Ibrahim took 2 wickets each while Raja Ejaz and Imran chipped in with one each.

In reply Merhan achieved their target scoring 158 off 18.5 overs. Alam Khan played an excellent match winning inning of 78 runs. He was supported by Assad Butt (22) and Raja Ejaz (26). Later, Fakhar made conclusive 16 runs to steer his team to victory. Yousaf Haroon took 3 wickets while Kifayath and Arshad took a wicket each.

Chief guests, Nadeem Nadwin, Saudi Cricket Center (SCC) and Mamoor Elahi, RCL president, presented the winning trophy and cash prize of SR 5000 to Mehran skipper Faheem Abbas Shah. The runner-up trophy was given to Pakhtoon Khawah captain Khalid Khan along with SR 3000.

The ten-week long tourney, the first held under the auspices of SCC, was witnessed by a large gathering, which included the supporters of the both teams, officials and guests from other cricket organizations.

RCL’s Jawaid Munawar conducted the prize distribution ceremony with help of Riaz Ahmed, Hanif Baber, Zakaria, Tariq Butt, Mohammad Nizami and Rehan Khan and other committee members.

Munawar gave the statistics of the tournament, which was well acknowledged and appreciated by all. He also thanked SCC for entrusting RCL for the event and congratulated MoneyGram for sponsoring this event to all affiliated associations in Saudi Arabia.

Nadeem Nadvi thanked Mamoor Elahi, Jawaid Munawar, Razaur Rahman RCL senior adviser) and other committee members who put in their hard work and made this event a success.

Man-of-the-Final: Alam Khan was given a cash prize of SR 1000.

Player-of-the-Tournament: Alam Khan was awarded with a trophy, a complete kit bag and SR 1000.

Best Batsman: Khawar Zafar of Evergreen, complete kit bag and SR 500.

Best Bowler: Mudassar complete kit bag and SR 500.