JEDDDAH: SIPCO – Pepsi Cola Bugshan in coordination with ALBAIK successfully organized the second edition of festival cricket match between Pepsi and ALBAIK at Baghdadiya ground.

The match is aimed at promoting cricket and camaraderie among employees of both the companies.

After winning the crucial toss ALBAIK decided to field first. The bowlers responded TO the captain’s decision by taking the first wicket in the second over and, bowling A tight line, took wickets at regular interval.

However, the great batting performance by Shahid Adnan with support from Kaleem Ahmed in the end took Pepsi to respectable target of 124 runs in allotted 13 overs.

While chasing the target ALBAIK lost wickets at regular interval. The arrival of their mainstay Sarfaraz, who played some magnificent strokes, brought ALBAIK back in the match. Pervaiz backed up Sarfaraz.

At one stage ALBAIK needed only 3 runs in the final over but the last over heroics of Abdul Quddus took the match away from ALBAIK. Quddus conceded just 1 run while taking 4 wickets including a hat trick in the final over to take Pepsi to a thrilling 1-run victory to the delight of the capacity crowd. Adnan Shahid and Shahid Javed each took 2 wickets. Quddus was awarded Man of the Match for his outstanding final over display.

VIP guests Ahmed El-Mehelmy, Haitham El-Bendary, Mohammed Zabani and Nabil Ibrahim from Pepsi, Jalal and Kabeer from ALBAIK and Nadeem Al-Nadwi, Sadiq-ul-Islam, Irfan Qureshi and Jaweed from SCC graced the occasion.

Ahmed El Mehelmy, Haitham El Bendary (Senior Director Organized Trade Pepsi) and Kabir (AGM ALBAIK) thanked both teams for their enthusiasm and spirit on and off the ground, and assured to have these type of matches more often in order to enhance the business relations. Finally, they thanked the organizing committee for the superb arrangements. In addition to the Man of the Match award there were also accolades for Best Batsmen and Best Bowler

The champion and runner-up trophies along with the medals were awarded to the respective team members. Handsome prizes including Ipads, smartphones and electronic items were raffled off for Pepsi and ALBAIK employees and spectators.

Experienced Kumar Krishnan and Syed Afzal did the umpiring duties. Naushad was the match commentator, Zubair official scorer and Rabbani did the digital scoring.

Organizing committee is made up of Mohammed Sami Khan, Mahmoud Hussain and Mohammed Abdul Quddus, who ran the show with the support staff.