Champ Dirab Lions vs. Hayer Tigers in RCA final

By Rustam Ali RIYADH — Defending champion Dirab Lions and Hayer Tigers beat their respective rivals in the semifinals to set up RCA Champions League final here. In semis, Dirab Lions defeated Diriyah Dolphins, while Hayer Tigers humbled Huraymala Gladiators. The league is organized by Riyadh Cricket Association (RCA) in collaboration with Cricket Saudi International Academy. In the thrilling first semifinal, defending champion and favorite Dirab Lions beat Diriyah Dolphins by 3 wickets. Lions won the toss and elected to bowl. Opener Fakher was bowled for a duck but his partner Ibrar ul Haq’s 29-ball 84 provided a brilliant start. He smashed 6 sixes and 10 fours in his inning. The middle order failed to carry the momentum and Dolphins managed 190 in 20 overs. Fahad hit 20, Ubaid 16 and Zainl Hassan 17. Jabar was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets. Saqib and Majid shared 2 wickets each, while Yasir grabbed one. In reply, the Lions got a good start from openers Faisal Khan (52) and Saddam (27). Saqib Saleem took his team to yet another victory with 55 off 29 balls. Abubaker supported the cause with 38. Ibrar ul Haq grabbed 2 wickets, while Fahad, Rizwan, Abdul Wahab and Irfan bagged a wicket each. Saqib Saleem was declared the Man of the Match. Hayer Tigers thrashed Huraymala Gladiators by 7 wickets. Batting first, Huraymala collected 176 for 7 in their innings. Sami Arshad top scored with 44. Abdul Waheed added 29, Abdul Qadir 24, Samiullah 23 and Adnan 15. Muzaffar Majeed and Rustum claimed 2 wickets each, while Mansoor picked up one. Chasing the modest total, Tigers openers fell in the first over for a run each. Captain Muzaffar and Asif Khan added 150 for the third wicket to ease up to victory. Asif Khan blasted 113 off 45 balls with 15 fours and 5 sixes. Muzaffar remained unbeaten on 51. Zainullah scalped 2 wickets and Samiullah 1. Asif Khan was adjudged the Man of the Match.