Kobaiti claims 7-29 in Jotun Cup

YANBU — Punjab XI will meet Pak Crescent A and Rising Star will take on Pak Green in the Division I and II finals of the Jotun Cup, organized by Yanbu Al-Sinaiyah Cricket Association (YACA) and sponsored by Jotun Paints. Division I In the first semifinal, Indo Riders beat Al-Muzain by 56 runs. Al-Muzain won the toss and put Indo Rider into bat. Indo Riders scored 165-5 through Sharjeel Butt (52), Mohammad Taseef (49), Thanikan (19) and Mohammad Sameer (19). For Al-Muzain, Israr Ahmad and Abdul Jabbar took two wickets each. In response, Al-Muzain was all out for 109. The main scorers were Anyat Saaed (34), Shoab Aziz (33) and Taseef Ahmad (13). Afeef Kobaiti took seven wickets for 29 runs and was adjudged the Man of the Match. In the second semifinal, Pak Crescent A edged Punjab XI by five runs. Pak Crescent A won the toss and scored 109 through Sarfraz Ahmad (22), Javed Basra (36) and Raja Fahad (18). There were 19 extras. For Punjab XI, Waqas took four wickets, Farhan Khan three and Asghar two. In reply, Punjab XI reached so close — 104-8. Waqas Ahmad (35) Javed Iqbal (20) and Shahid (15) were the main scorers. For Pak Crescent A, Sohrab Khan took three wickets, Sarfaraz Ahmad two, while Rajab Fahad and Javed Basra got one each. Division II In the first semifinal, Rising Stars defeated Shah XI by seven wickets. Rising Stars won the toss and put Shah XI into bat. Shah XI scored 122-9. Ajmeer Khan made 59 and Iftikhar 12. A big contribution came from extras (33). For Rising Stars, Mohammad Aqeel took three wickets, while Afzal, Suliman Firaz, Mazhar and Mohammad Taher got one each. In response, Rising Stars successfully reached 126-3. Aamir Riyadh (50), Mohammad Tahir (31), Irfan Cheema (16) and Imran Fraaz (11) were the main scorers. For Shah XI, Nazeer and Afzal took one wicket each. Mohammad Riaz of Rising Stars was named the Man of the Match. In the second semifinal, Pak Green beat Pak Crescent B by four wickets. Pak Crescent B won the toss and was all out for just 74. Jahaan Zaib hit 14 and Aqib Niazi 11. There were 19 extras. For Pak Green, Ihsaan took four wickets and Abdul Qadir three. In reply, Pak Green achieved the target for the loss of six wickets. Mohammad Waseem top scored with 22, Mohammad Zahid made 18 and Rohail 11. For Pak Crescent B, Mazhar Khan and Osama took two wickets each. Ahsan of Pak Green was adjudged the Man of the Match. — SG