Aijaz Ahmed Khan
JEDDAH — It will be an all MCH teams final when Blazers and Premier clash for the Ace Premier League honor. This event is sponsored by Ace Travel and Tours and organized by Jeddah Cricket Association (JCA).
While MCH Blazers eliminated Pepsi Deccan Knight in a well-fought first semifinal by 4 wickets, MCH Premier crushed sponsors team Ace Travel by 8 wickets in the second, reaching the target (127) for the loss of 2 wickets in 9 overs only.
Pepsi Deccan Knight batted first and scored 189-7 in 20 overs. Despite losing prolific scorer run out on the first ball of the match, Pepsi recovered through Wajid (27 — 3 fours, 1 six) and Najeeb (29). Later, Ayaz scored an unbeaten 49 runs in 24 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes and Mazhar an unbeaten 45 in 18 balls with 3 fours and 3 sixes. Adnan took 3-42 and Rizwan 2-25. In reply, MCH Blazers reached the target (190-6) in 18.3 overs. Nadeem scored a brilliant 75 in only 27 balls with 7 fours and 7 sixes. He got some support from Amer Shahzad (27 not out), Adnan Ayub (20) and Asim (25). Afroz took 2-31, while a wicket each went to Athar, Wajid, Akram and Mazhar. However, MCH Blazers won the match by 4 wickets. Man of the Match: Nadeem (75 runs).
Ace Travel, electing to bat first, was bundled out for a paltry 122 with excellent bowling from spinner Faheem Afrad (3-17), Imran (2-39), Adnan (2-12) and Usman (2-27).
In reply, MCH Premier reached 127-2 in 9 overs with prolific opener Qamar Awan scoring an unbeaten 58 in 25 balls with 5 sixes and 5 fours. Irfan (20), Kashif (21) and Naeem (22 not out in 8 balls with 3 sixes) finished off the innings. Man of the Match: Faheem Afrad (3-17).
