By Aijaz Ahmed Khan
JEDDAH - KAIA opened its account in the CIT SPL by beating Peeran XI by 8 wickets in the 8th weeks matches of the tournament organized by Jeddah Cricket Association (JCA).
The competition is sponsored by Canadian International Trading (CIT) and co-sponsored by Initial Services Group, Ace Travel and Tours, Maui Jim, Hyderabad Sharks, Pepsi (SIPCO), Mizo Juices (Arrow Foods), Khind Electronics and Bison.
The chief guest of the week’s matches and for the post matches presentation was Dr. Syed Ali Mahmood, professor at King Abdul Aziz University and chief patron of Global Network of Telangana NRIs. The guest of honor was Syed Khaja Viqaruddin, president of Twin Cities Youth Welfare Association. Among other guests were: Khaja Muzaffaruddin, Syed Salman, Nadeem Abdul Basith, Mahmood Misri, Syed Mohiuddin Quadri and Abdullah Afzal. Amir Ghaffar Siddique was the Master of ceremony was at best with his running commentary and interviews while the famous singer of Jeddah Amjad Hussain delighted the players and the audiences with his melodious songs at JCA Cricket Complex Usfan.
While 7th week matches were washed out due to heavy downpour, the 8th week matches saw fine all-round performances. KAIA scored its first win of the league with a dazzling 8-wicket win over Peeran XI thanks to Khalid’s unbeaten 69 and 2-35.
Mohammad Shahzad of Hyderabad Sharks scored the week’s only century, a scintillating knock of 129 in 51 balls to lead his team to a 15-run win over Saudi German Hospital.
Abdul Quddus continued his all-round performance with 74 runs and 3-38 with the ball to hand Pepsi Deccan Knight a 5-wicket win over Hala International School.
Shahbaz Rasheed’s spell of 4-30 and 32 runs was instrumental in MCH’s unbeaten run, this time getting the better of Pak Shaheen by 6 wickets. Naseem Al-Zahra inspired by Usman Saeed’s haul of 6-31 following Nadeem’s 87 beat MCH Green by 23 runs. Ace Travel beat Malik XI by a whopping 126 runs thanks to Asif’s unbeaten 57 and Moazzam’s 61.
Hyderabad Sharks beat Saudi German Hospital by 15 runs. Hyderabad Sharks 214-7 in 20 overs - Mohammed Shahzad 129, Taher 22 not out; Waqas 2-25, Umer 2-41. Saudi German Hospital 199-8 in 20 overs - Izhar 51, Taqi 28, Omer 27 not out; Shahid 3-42, Mohammed Hassan 2-38. Man of the Match: Mohammed Shahzad.
Pepsi Deccan Knights thrashed Hala International School by 5 wickets. Hala 209-7 in 20 overs - Shahzad 40, Zahid 39, Amer 31, Jawwad 31, Shahjahan 29; Abdul Quddus 3-38. Pepsi Deccan Knights 211-5 in 17.5 overs - Abdul Quddus 74 not out, Syed Afroz 40, Abdul Raheem Mazhar 27 not out, Sohail Bin Halais 27; Rafaqath 2-31. Man of the Match: Abdul Quddus.
MCH Premier downed Pak Shaheen by 6 wickets. Pak Shaheen 183 all out - Usman 70, Faisal 29; Shahbaz Rasheed 4-30, Wahid 3-17. MCH Premier 185-4 in 15.2 overs - Irfan 64, Kashif Shafiq 52 not out, Shahbaz Rasheed 32; Atta Ur Rehman 2-19. Man of the Match: Shahbaz.
KAIA beat Peeran XI by 8 wickets. Peeran XI 155 all out in 20 overs - Shakeel 61, Farooq 28; Ehsan 2-26, Khalid 2-35 runs. KAIA 159-2 in 14.5 overs - Khalid 69 not out, Majid 56; Abdur Raheem 2-31. Man of the Match: Khalid.
Naseem Al-Zahra edged MCH Green by 23 runs. Naseem Al-Zahra 195-5 in 20 overs - Nadeem 87, Osman Butt 44, Aamir Wahla 26, Qaiser 3-31, Azhar 2-27. MCH Green 172-9 in 20 overs. Rana Shahzad 47 not out, Mani 35; Usman Saeed 6-31. Man of the Match: Usman Saeed.
ACE Travel thumped Malik XI by 126 runs. ACE Travel 246-5 in 20 overs - Moazzam Shaukat 61, Asif 57 not out, Bilal 41; Nasik 2-44, Amer 2-54. Malik XI 119 all out - Ilyas 39, Irshad 24; Abdul Wahed 3-10, Waqas 2-29, Rashed 2-32. Man of the Match: Asif.
Mohammed Shahzad of Hyderabad Sharks was adjudged the Player of the Week for his 129 runs.
