19th Kanoo Inter-Division League kicks off

Imran Sheradi JEDDAH — The 19th Kanoo Inter-Division Cricket Tournament kicked off last week with tremendous excitement amongst the participating teams and players. The tournament is sponsored by Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo Group Jeddah for its employees, associates and subsidiary companies and co-sponsored by Maersk Sealand (Mercantile Shipping) and AXA Insurance as part of the group’s corporate social responsibility to encourage sports in general and cricket in particular. It helps employees keep physically and mentally fit. The employees of Kanoo Group thanked the Kanoo management in the Western Province and Sheikh Ahmed Fawzi Kanoo in particular for their keen interest in encouraging activities which helps them interact among themselves and thereby boost their morale. The tournament’s format has been slightly changed to suit the demands of the times. There will now be two tournaments — one 6-a-side tourney and the other a 15-over league-cum-knock-out event. There are seven teams taking part. They are: BDP, Finance, Logistics, Machinery, Maersk Lion, Power & Industrial Project and Travel. The matches will be played at Sulamaniyah grounds. Maersk Lion vs. BDP Maersk Lions set a target of 53 thanks to Nawab (19) and Ashfaq (09). Good bowling by Izan (2 for 4) and Shamun (1 for 5) kept the rivals under check. In reply, BDP’s Hameen hit 20 and Fahim 12 but it was restricted to 44 to hand the Lions an 8-run win. Man of the Match: Izaan Ahmad. BDP vs. Logistics Openers Fahim (33) and Oliver (16) helped BDP post 74 in 5 overs. Logistics’ Wahid blasted his way to a superb unbeaten knock of 39 runs (3 sixes, 4 fours) with support from Siraj and Imran who helped enable their team reach 75 in 4.4 overs with 3 wickets in hand. Man of the Match: Wahid Khan. Maersk Lions vs. Logistics Despite losing early wickets, Maersk Lion managed 47. Shiras took 4 for 12. In reply, Logistics reached the target of 47 comfortably with Shiras scoring an unbeaten 42 to gift Logistics its second win. Man of the Match: Shiras. Travel vs. Finance Travel managed a sizeable total of 104 in 5 overs against Finance. Azam displayed an excellent innings scoring 45 not out. He was well supported by Mubeen (27) and Yasas (22 not out). In reply, Finance team could not cope with the rising asking rate and was bundled out for 66. Tuan Kamoor (25) and Amin (29) remained unbeaten as Travel won by 38 runs. Man of the Match: Azam. Logistics vs. Finance Finance managed to score 79 with Kamoor (15), Azaz (25) and Amin (23) among the runs. Logistics’ Mohammed Inshaf blasted 23 to take his team to the verge of victory. Needing 5 off the last ball Wahid Khan hit a six and took Logistics to 80 for 3. Man of the Match: Mohammed Inshaf.