By Ali Mohammed Khan
JEDDAH — On a day of tense encounters in Jeddah Champions Trophy (JCT) Tournament, Nazar Guys and Kingdom CC prevailed in low-scoring encounters, beating Coastal Gladiators and Gulbarga CT, respectively.
First it was Nazar Guys who after setting a target of 123 were staring at defeat with Yusuf (48) and Dani (32 not out) combining well for Coastal Gladiators, but a superb bowling spell of 3-14 by Hafeez made sure that Nazar Guys escaped by the tiniest of margins — winning by 1 run.
In another tense encounter, Azizia Deccan Avengers bowled out Kingdom CC for 96, thanks mainly to an excellent bowling by Taraq who picked up 4 wickets for 18 runs. But their batsmen failed to chase down the mediocre target as KCC captain Sibgatullah bowled a miserly spell of 3 for 8 to hand his team its third win.
In one of the most-awaited matches of the season, Azizia Deccan defeated KSA Green. Azizia Deccan, after electing to bat first, took the game away with Ishaq and Minhaj putting up 71 runs for the first wicket, which was followed up by a belligerent 43 off 17 balls by Taskeen. They set their opponents a target of 150. In reply, KSA Green never recovered from the early jolts and eventually lost by 60 runs as Taskeen followed up with 2 wickets.
The tournament is being organized by Azizia Deccan in association with Saudi Cricket Centre (SCC). The title sponsor is Al-Miawiah. Al-Salem York, Aqualite, Clas, G21 Optics and Intalaka Group are the co-sponsors.
Brief scores:
Nazar Guys 122-9 in 15 overs (Rahil 32; Mujahid 3-21) beat Coastal Gladiators 121-5 (Yousuf 48; Hafeez 3-14) by 1 run. Man of the Match: Hafeez.
Marha Travels 117-7 in 15 overs (Haroon 29; Hashim Siraj 2-8) lost to IOE 118-2 in 13.1 overs (Jaleel 48 not out; Haroon 1-19) by 8 wickets. Man of the Match: Jaleel.
ICC 147-6 in 15 overs (Tousif 37 not out, Habeeb 2-25) beat Hyderabad Warriors 78 all out in 15 overs (Muzammil 25; Rayees 3-10) by 69 runs. Man of the Match: Tousif.
Konkan XI 145-3 in 15 overs (Anas 80; Siri 1-16) beat Yorkshire 98 all out (Shakir 18; Sajjad 2-16) by 47 runs.
Man of the Match: Anas.
Friends CT 88 all out in 14.5 overs (Ifraz 18; Ilyas 2-14) lost to Jeddah Strikers 89-6 in 12.4 overs (Salman 27; Mujahid 2-23) by 4 wickets. Man of the Match: Salman
United Carton CC 87-7 in 15 overs (Nani 25; Shajahan 2-14) lost to Jeddah Warriors Cricket 92-6 in 10.5 overs (Srini 27; Divesh 3-19) by 4 wickets.
Man of the Match: Riyas.
Super Chargers 121-5 in 15 overs (Mukaram 31 not out; Abdul Khader 1-8) beat Kings XI Hyderabad 93-9 (Mohammed Zafar 24; Mujahid 3-7) by 28 runs. Man of the Match: Mukaram.
Azizia Deccan 149-4 in 15 overs (Taskeen 43 not out, Minhaj 39; Zaki 2-26) beat KSA Green 89-8 (Suhail 18; Taskeen 2-12) by 60 runs. Man of the Match: Taskeen. Kingdom CC 96 all out in 14 overs (Wasiullah 32; Taraq 4-18) beat AD Avengers 87-9 (Sharib 23; Sibgath 3-8) by 9 runs. Man of the Match: Sibgath.
Reliance 151-3 in 15 overs (Osman 41 not out; Chotu Singh 2-25) beat Archirodon Lions 74-9 in 13 overs (Nawaz 22; Mazhar Ali 3-17) by 77 runs. Man of the Match: Osman.
Elite CC 107-8 in 15 overs (Mohammed 55; Shahbaz 5-25) lost to Bhatkal Cricket 108-8 in 14.4 overs (Faizan 33; Sami 2-10) by 2 wickets. Man of the Match: Shahbaz.
Hyderbad Strikers 97-6 in 15 overs (Mudasir Ahmed 34; Allywn 1-15) beat Gulbarga CT 88 all out in 15 overs (Sami 17, Shaker 3-10) by 9 runs. Man of the Match: Shaker.
