Aijaz Ahmed Khan
JEDDAH — MCH Premier crushed sister team MCH Blazer by a whopping margin of 185 runs to lift the Ace Premier Cup for the first time.
With three titles under its belt — SPL, Kanoo and now Ace Premier — MCH Premier is the undisputed champion of the 2015-16 season. The Ace Premier League is sponsored by Ace Travel and Tours and organized by Jeddah Cricket Association (JCA).
Opting to bat first, MCH Premier lost Qamar Awan in the second over. Thereafter Irfan and Kashif took over the mantle and put on a 112-run partnership for the second wicket. Irfan hit a quick-fire 73 off 28 balls with 4 sixes and 9 fours. Kashif, content playing second fiddle, scored 76 off 48 balls with 5 fours and 3 sixes.
After the departure of the duo, there was a middle order collapse with Shahbaz, Imran, Naeem and Abu Huraira losing their wickets cheaply. Usman added 44 in 12 balls to boost MCH Premier tally to 246 for 7 in 20 overs. Asim (3-58) and Rizwan (3-49) were the pick of the bowlers. Adnan picked up 1-19.
The total proved too much for MCH Blazers, who lost wickets in a heap and was bundled out for 61 in 9 overs. Nadeem scored 37 off 16 balls as none of the other batsmen scored into double figures. Abu Huraira claimed 4-7 in 3 overs, Usman 3-2, Adnan 2-37 and Imran 1-15.
The prize distribution ceremony was held after the final where chief guest Shamshad Khan, finance director of Ace Travel and Tours, congratulated the winner and the runner-up and handed them their tropies. He assured JCA of Ace management’s continued support as part of its Corporate Social Responsibilities.
JCA CEO Muhammad Iqbal thanked Ace in general and Ashfaq Aleem (general manager, Saudi Arabia), Mohammed Ali Jarrar (regional director) and Shamshad Khan in particular for supporting the association for the last 8 years.
Performance awards went to: Best Batsman and Best All-Rounder — Ateeq Mansha of MB Stars (461 runs and 12 wickets); Best Bowler — Mohammed Imran of MCH Premier (28 wickets); Man of the Final — Usman of MCH Premier (44 runs and 3-2); Best Partnership — 171 runs between Kashif and Irfan of MCH Premier; Hat Trick and Best Emerging Player — Mohammed Imran of MCH Premier (8-17); and Best Wicketkeeper — Babar Hussain of MCH Premier. Mahmood Hussain and Syed Azam were the match officials, while Kumar was the match referee and Shakeel the scorer.
