MHA crushed Pak Young by 116 runs and clinched the Jotun Cup cricket tournament sponsored by Jotun Saudi Arabia and organized by Jeddah Cricket Association-JCA.

MHA won toss and, batting first, piled up a huge total of 267 runs for 8 wickets. Zia laid the foundation of the victory with quick-fire 46 including 9 hits to the fence and 1 over it. Abdul Rahman was in blistering form as he went one step ahead of Zia to score 62 in innings studded with a dozen fours.

There was solid support in fairly quick time as all MHA batsmen went to the rampage against the hapless Pak Young bowlers. Riaz notched up 28, Ehthesham scoring at strike rate of over 200 scored an unbeaten 35 while Zakir added 20 as MHA ended at 267 for 8. Riaz Afridi was the lone bowler to shine taking 4 for 43.

In reply, Pak Young just succumbed to the bowling of Zia (3 for 37), Riaz (2 for 39) and Khalid (2 for 27) to be bundled out for 151. Zain was the only one to give a fightback on 60 while Manzar (22) and Azmat Khan (19) gave him good support but others failed as MHA triumphed by 116 runs to add the Jotun Cup to the MoneyGram sponsored CKB T20 Cup in April this year.

In the consolation cup, Butt Sports inflicted a defeat on KAIA by the narrowest margin of 1 run. Butt Sports made the best use of batting first scoring 181 runs for 7 wickets. Umar scored 65 while Waqas (45) gave him good support hitting 5 fours and 2 sixes. Sameer with 4 for 35 stole the show with his bowling while Majid Riaz took 2 for 32.

In reply, KAIA had Amin scoring 50 including 6 fours and Majid Riaz added 43 with 6 fours. Just when it seemed KAIA will go through Waqas and Umar picked up 3 wickets each for 32 and 25 runs respectively to restrict KAIA to 180 all out and short by one run of the rival’s target.

The prize distribution ceremony followed the match and the chief guest on the occasion was Faisal Kareem and guest of honor was Syed Muzakkir Bukhari from Jotun Saudi Arabia. JCA President Mohammad Iqbal and Vice President Aijaz Ahmed Khan were also present.

The sponsor’s representatives Faisal Kareem and Muzakkir Bukhari assured their support to continue the sponsorship and appreciated the efforts of the JCA executive committee members and the volunteers for organizing such a great event in the scorching heat.

The awards are as follows:

MHA champion, Pak Young runner-up, Butt Sports losers’ cup winner, man of the final match Zia Ul Haque (MHA), batsman with maximum run in the league Tahir of Pak Young, batsmen with best averages Adnan Butt of Khulais 111.08, Imran Butt of Butt Sports 90.04 and Tahir 66.44, best batting performance in a match Imran Butt (Butt Sports) 169 runs against Khulais, bowler with maximum wickets in the league Kamran (Jamoom Fighters) 21 wickets, bowler with best bowling averages, Hasnain (Khulais-XI) 8.78, Kamran (Jamoom Fighters) 11.61 and Manzar (Pak Young) 13.00, best bowling performance in a match Kamran (Pak Young) 6 for 37, best all round of the league Zia Ul Haque (MHA) 236 runs and 21 wickets, best all round performance in a match Riaz Afridi (MHA) 106 runs not out & 4 for 22, best partnerships of the league, Waheed & Nisar (Reel & Rom) 195 runs against Pak Young while the second best partnership Zahoor and Ghafoor (Al Qudaid-XI) 150 runs against Butt Sports.