JEDDAH — CIT President and CEO Naser Gulaid presented theCIT SPL T20 2017-18 3rd Edition Cup to winners Banswada Ball Burners (BBB) who clinched the title in a high scoring thriller final that also proved to be the highest run-case in an SPL final. The beat Pepsi Deccan Knights Shawahid Tech.

The prize distribution ceremony started with recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an by Mahmood Hussain, after which A. A. Merchant welcomed Chief Guest Naser Gulaid, JCA Patron Dr. Faiz Al Abideen, co-sponsors Initial Service Group, Khind Electronics, Hyderabad Sharks, Mizo Juices (Arrow Foods), Air India and Hadeel Travel, executive committee members and fellow cricketers.

He thanked all sponsors for their support and encouragement towards JCA programs while furthering the cause of younger generation of cricketers in the future. He congratulated the winner and runner-up teams and briefly provided some of the exciting individual and team performances of this SPL.

JCA Vice President Hamid Afandi thanked SPL Chief Coordinator Haroon Abdulla and his team — Arif Hashmy, Syed Ashfaq, Zaheer Peeran, Syed Meer — for organizing a highly successful 14 weeks mega event, including arrangements for the grand finale in which a total of 88 awards were presented to the teams and individual performances.

He also thanked panel of JCA umpires, scorers, officials, social media team, ground maintenance and logistics volunteer, commentators and cameraman for their dedicated services to ensure a grand and colorful SPL. He had a word of praise for the print and electronic media, particularly Saudi Gazette, Al Bilad online English portal for their prompt coverage of weekly SPL matches.

Dr. Faiz Al Abideen, after greeting the chief guest and all present, briefly took the audience through memory lane of JCA and assured that JCA will continue to provide the very best of cricket to its member clubs with many more exciting tournaments in times to come. He highlighted the importance of sponsors to keep the game of cricket going, as they (sponsors) are the lifeline for any organization to flourish and succeed.

Dr. Faiz presented Naser with a plaque as a token of sincere gratitude and appreciation. He also presented plaques to Mohammed Esa Bundakji — Managing Director of Initial Services Group — a prominent co-sponsor and to all the co-sponsors of this grand SPL event.

Chief Guest Naser Gulaid congratulated the winners BBB and runner-up PDK for an exciting final, and considered himself and CIT fortunate to be present on this grand occasion as part of JCA. He assured, to a standing ovation, all to count on his support in the future. He then distributed the cups and performance awards comprising cash and electronic appliances.

Winner Team – Banswada Ball Burners; Runner-up Team – Pepsi Deccan Knight Shawahuid Tech; 3rd position – Hyderabad Sharks; Fair Play Award – Ace Travel; Best Player and Maximum sixes (36) – Bilal Moghul of PDK – 674 runs and 21 wickets; Best Batsman – Kashif Shafiq of PDK – 586 runs; Best Bowler – Rana Shazad of BBB – 21 wickets.

A Lucky draw for two (2) Air India Ticket Jeddah – India – India, was held and the winners Mahmood Hussain and Ishaq Baghdadi were given the tickets by Air India officials Lad and Salman Aziz. There was lucky draw comprising 12 electronic appliances for the spectators. Vote of thanks was given by Merchant. — SG