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Champion Pakistan International School Jeddah, Aziziyah (PISJ–A) with SCC CEO Nadeem Nadwi and SCC official Sadiqul Islam
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JEDDAH — Pakistan International School Jeddah, Aziziyah, (PISJ-A) beat International Indian School (IISJ) by 25 runs in an exciting final to win the Under-17 Inter-School Cricket Tournament, organized by Saudi Cricket Centre (SCC) under its Youth Development Program and with the support of WPCA.
Nadeem Nadwi, SCC chief executive officer, who graced the final, announced that the next U-17 event under this program will be organized in Eastern Province Cricket Association (EPCA) Dammam and Riyadh Cricket Association (RCA). And then the final U-17 national championship will be held at the end of March, involving the regional champions. He also thanked the media for the support and coverage.
PISJ-A batted first after winning toss and scored 182-6 in the allotted 20 overs. Ali Husnain top scored with 53, followed by Muhammad Shahzad (35), Suleiman (32), Khizer (23) and Abdullah (11). Omer Waseem took three wickets and Zakaria two.
In response, IISJ was in a hurry to hit the target but was restricted to 156 with Suleiman contributing 49, Sohail 28, Saud 21, Abdullah 19 and Zahid 10. Khizer took five wickets and Kabeer two.
Khizer of PISJ-A was adjudged the Man of the Final.
Top performers of the tournament:
PISJ-A: Khizer was the Man of the Final and took 16 wickets in the tournament at an average of 6.38. Mohammad Shahzad scored 220 runs at an average of 44 and took five wickets. Yusuf Khalid excelled as an all-rounder by scoring 151 runs at an average of 37.75 and took six wickets. Ali Husnain tallied 206 runs at an average of 51.50.
IISJ: Sohail showed fine all-around performance by scoring 218 runs at an average of 73.67 and took five wickets. Sayed Saud excelled as wicketkeeper by taking ten catches behind the stumps.
Ebad of Al-Falah (DPS) International School Jeddah shone as wicketkeeper by taking 11 catches behind the stumps. Roman of Pakistan International School - English Session took eight wickets. Yusuf Khalid was Man of the Match in the first semifinals. Abdullah was the Man of the Match in the second semis.
Best in a match:
Sohail of IISJ was the highest scorer with 84 not out, while Khizer of PISJ-A was the highest wicket-taker in a match with five wickets. Saad of IISJ recorded a hat trick. Khizer scored an unbeaten 23 and took five wickets. Yusuf Khalid scored 41 runs and took four wickets. The prize distribution will be held at a special function in the first week of January 2017. — SG
