MCH Premier lifts T20 Saudi Cup

By Aijaz Ahmed Khan JEDDAH — My Care Hala (MCH) Premier defeated Pak Shaheen in the final to lift the T20 Saudi Cup, sponsored by Reel & Rom and UT Lines and organized by Jeddah Cricket Association (JCA), here recently. MCH Premier recorded a sound 8-wicket win over Pak Shaheen. MCH Premier bowled out Pak Shaheen for 174 with Adnan (3-33), Abu Huraira (2-49) and Shahbaz (2-22) sharing the honors with some accurate and penetrative bowling. Afzal (53 — 26 balls, 5 fours, 3 sixes), Shaan (38) and Saad (22) were the other main scorers. Baber excelled behind the stumps by taking 2 catches and 1 stumping. While batting he blasted an unbeaten 43 to win the Man of the Final award. MCH reached 175-2 in 17.3 overs with an unbeaten 65 by Kashif (36 balls, 7 fours, 4 sixes), another unbeaten 43 by Baber (33 balls 3 fours, 2 sixes) and a quick 33 by opener Shahbaz. During the prize distribution ceremony, Franke David, director of Reel & Rom, thnaked JCA for giving Reel & Rom the opportunity to sponsor the Saudi Cup which was inaugurated by Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq. JCA CEO Mohammed Iqbal thanked Reel & Rom and UT Lines for supporting JCA. JCA President Aijaz Ahmed Khan congratulated the winner MCH Premier and runner-up Pak Shaheen. Chief guest Franke handed over the trophies, medals and individual performance awards. JCA also honored the umpires and scorers. Plaques of appreciation were presented to the sponsors Reel & Rom and UT Lines. Performance awards: Best Batsman — Irfan Nazeer of MCH Premier (572 runs); Best Bowler — Ishaq Baghdadi of Pepsi Deccan Knights (20 wickets); Best All-Rounder — Shahbaz Rasheed of MCH Premier (856 runs and 23 wickets). In the semifinals, MCH Premier beat UT Lines by 154 runs and Pak Shaheen earned a 3-run win in a low-scoring thriller against Saudi German Hospital. Summarized scores: MCH 288-2 (Shahbaz Rasheed 106, Irfan 97). UT Lines 134 all out (Ali 58; Zahid 3-6, Adnan 2-20, Usman 2-29, Abu Huraira 2-26). Pak Shaheen 125 all out (Furqan 27, Nasir 24; Waqas 4-9, Irfan 2-31, Majid 2-27, Taqi 2-15). SGH 122 all out (Huzaifa 35, Iqbal 3-20, Usman 2-5, Shaan 2-23). In the quarterfinals, MCH Premier beat Lahore Badshah by 179 runs, Pak Shaheen defeated Pepsi Deccan Knights by 106 runs, UT Lines comfortably beat ARM United by 5 wickets and Ace Travel scored a resounding 7-wicket win over SGH. Scores: MCH Premier 301-3 (Irfan 154 n.o., Kashif 75 n.o.). Lahore Badshah 122 all out (Shahzad 30; Abu Huraira 4-17, Adnan 3-16). Pak Shaheen 315-3 (Usman 110, Faisal 90, Afzal 49, Shaan 30). Pepsi Deccan Knights 209 all out (Majeed 44; Afzal 6-29, Furqan 2-39). UT Lines 159-5 (Ghafoor 41, Khalid 37 n.o.; Atta 2-16). ARM United 156 all out (Najm 56; Shaad 3-13, Khalid 2-32, Shabbir 2-24). Ace Travel 187-3 (Moazzam 105; Irfan 2-42). beat SGH 183-6 (Waqas 91; Iftikhar 3-28).