Lahore Badshah lifts Jotun Cup

Aijaz Ahmed Khan JEDDAH — Lahore Badshah beat KAIA by 9 runs in a thrilling Jotun Cup final, sponsored by Jotun Paints Saudi Arabia and organized under the umbrella of Jeddah Cricket Association (JCA). Restricted to 172 all out in 19 overs, mainly due to a superb spell of bowling by Abdul Samad of KAIA who took a hat trick (3-27), Lahore Badshah fought back with some tight bowling by Waqas (3-21) and managed to restrict KAIA to 163 for 8 in 20 overs. Lahore Badshah, batting first, got off to a decent start with Shahzad top scoring with a stylish 58 off only 23 balls with 5 hits to the fence and 3 sixes. With good support from Saghir (35), Osman Ali Niaz (33) and Malik Aijaz (25), the team managed 172 before tight bowling by Abdul Samad bundled it out for 172 in 19 overs. Zabak Amin got 2-40, Majed 2-28, while a wicket each was picked up by Javed and Ahsan. In response, KAIA started well with Javed (45), Zabak Amin (30) and Waqas Hussain (35) in full flow but some accurate bowling from Waqas, Owais (3-25) and Afzal (2-18) strangled the lower order of KAIA, which ended at 163 for 8 in 20 overs. The prize distribution ceremony was held after the final match. Chief guest Muzakkir Bukhari, brand manager of Jotun Saudi Arabia, congratulated the finalists for the exciting encounter. He thanked JCA for giving Jotun an opportunity to support the cricket community and assured JCA of Jotun’s continuous support as part of its Corporate Social Responsibilities. The CEO of JCA, Muhammad Iqbal, thanked Jotun in general and Faisal Karim (marketing manager) and Bukhari in particular for their solid support. Bukhari then handed over the awards. The individual awards went to: Best Batsman — Ajmal Ali (411) of MCH Green; Best Bowler and Best All-rounder — Abdul Samad (333 runs, 16 wickets) of KAIA; Man of the Final — Shahzad Taher (58 runs) of Lahore Badshah; Best Partnership 198 between Azhar and Ajmal Ali of MCH Green; Hat trick — Abdul Samad of KAIA (3-27), Ateeq of King Stars (5-30) and Altaf (3-40) of Reel and Rom.