Aijaz Ahmed Khan
JEDDAH — Jamoom Fighters defeated Sindh XI by 6 wickets to lift the Kanoo Premier League Cup.
The event, organized by Jeddah Cricket Association (JCA), was sponsored by Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo Group for the 22nd year.
Opting to bat first, Sindh XI got off to a good start with Sulaiman (13) and Mohsin (42) scoring at a brisk rate took the team past 50 in the 5th over before Sulaiman (13) and Munawwar (0) fell in succession. Mohsin maintained his good form making 42 off 25 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes. But Sindh XI was soon in trouble as wickets started falling at regular intervals and it slipped to 102-6 with Malik (3-26), Saeed (2-11) and Umar (2-44) tightening the noose around it. However, smart batting by Ayaz Meer (54 — 41 balls, 3 fours, 1 six) and Ayaz Rind (43 — 23 balls, 6 fours, 2 sixes) helped the team post 192-9 in 20 overs.
In reply, Jamoom Fighters got off to a brilliant start with Naeem batting aggressively and Usman Butt giving him good support to take their team to 94 before Usman (23) was out. Thereafter wickets of Arshad (12), Malik (2) and Adnan (14) fell in quick succession but Naeem toyed with rival bowlers, dispatching them to all parts of the ground to rush to 50 in 21 balls and a century in 48 balls. Naeem remained unbeaten on 126 (60 balls, 19 fours and a six). He single-handedly steered Jamoom Fighters to reach 194-4 in 18 overs and lift the Kanoo Cup. Aashiq took 2-32 and one wicket each went to Munawwar and Zia. Naeem was adjudged the Man of the Match.
During the prize distribution soon after the match, JCA coordinator A. A. Merchant appreciated Kanoo management for supporting JCA for the 22nd year and thanked Sheikh Khalid, managing director, and Sheikh Ahmed Fawzi, area manager. He highlighted the role of Kanoo Group in sponsoring leagues in Jeddah, Yanbu, Riyadh, Dammam, Bahrain and Dubai and also conducting Kanoo Inter-Division Cricket League for its employees.
Chief guest Rafique Ahmed, senior finance manager, and Jayaram Shetty of Kanoo thanked JCA for giving an opportunity to Kanoo to sponsor JCA league and promised the group’s support in future. JCA CEO Muhammad Iqbal thanked Kanoo management for supporting JCA and looked forward to continue the relationship. He also presented chief guest with a memento for Sheikh Ahmed Kanoo.
Awards:
Batsman with Maximum Runs — Javed of ECU Lines (525 runs), Bowler with Highest Wickets — Ashiq of Sindh XI (17 wickets), Best All-Rounder — Usman Butt of Jamoom Fighters (497 runs and 14 wickets), Best Partnership — Omar and Junaid of ECU Lines (144 runs), Hat Trick — Ashiq of Sindh XI (5-14) and Imran Butt of Reel & Rom (4-27).
Umpires Kumar Krishnan and Zainul Huda were also given special awards.
