By Ali Mohammed Khan
JEDDAH — After 7 weeks and 80 league matches, the 6th season of Jeddah Champions Trophy (JCT) has reached the knockout stage with 32 of the 40 participating teams vying for honors.
During last week, Nazar Guys ran riot against Jeddah Strikers as they posted a huge total of 172 in the allotted 15 overs with Nayeem scoring 71 off 44 balls, He was ably supported by Mazhar who smashed a quickfire 68 off 24 balls. In reply, Jeddah Strikers could not do much as they folded up for 97.
In another match, Independence CC won against Bugshan by 6 wickets. It chased down a modest target of 90 with more than 5 overs to spare. Toufeek was the destroyer in chief for ICC as he picked up 4 wickets by conceding only 10 runs. He also scored 28 off 15 balls to take his team to victory.
In the final match of the league stage, Gulf West rushed to 109 set by Barkatiya CC with utmost ease as Jamal scored a belligerent 81 from 36 balls to take his team home with 32 balls to spare.
The knockout rounds of JCT will commence next week.
The qualified teams for knockout round: 1. Kingdom CC, 2. KSA Green, 3. Azizia Deccan, 4. Azizia Deccan Avengers, 5. Reliance, 6. Barkatiya XI, 7. KSA Red, 8. Archirodon Lions, 9. Jeddah Gladiators, 10. Jeddah Warriors Club, 11. Kings XI Hyderabad, 12.
United Carton CC, 13. Independence CC, 14. KSA Blue, 15. Mangalore Friends, 16. Hyderabad Warriors, 17. Kokan XI, 18. Hyderabad Royals, 19. Arabian XI, 20. Yorkshire, 21. Nazar Guys, 22. Coastal Gladiators, 23. Mahajar Heroes CC, 24. Jeddah Strikers, 25. Khind CC, 26. Hyderabad Strikers, 27. Gulf West, 28. Gulbarga Cricket Team, 29. IOE, 30. Bhatkal CA Jeddah, 31. Elite CC, 32. Prime XI.
The tournament is being organized by team Azizia Deccan in association with Saudi Cricket Centre (SCC). The title sponsor is Al Miawiah, while Al-Salem York, Aqualite, Clas, G21 Optics and Intalaka Group are co-sponsors.
Brief scores:
Marha Travels 104-8 in 15 overs (Zaheer 31; Zubair 3-15) beat Elite CC 100-7 in 15 overs (Fareed 20; Harun 3-9). Man of the Match: Zaheer
Yorkshire CC 97-6 (Tousif 42; Yahya 1-11) lost to Arabian XI 98-5 in 14.1 overs (Yousuf 48; Shaker 2-15). Man of the Match: Yousuf.
Hyderabad Strikers 77-10 in 14 overs (Zain 26; Khalid 4-24) lost to Khind CC 78-2 in 10 overs (Farooq 26 not out; Zain 1-9). Man of the Match: Farooq. Coastal Gladiators 107-8 (Altaf 43; Mujahid 2-20) beat Friends CT 87-7 (Khadeer 30, Dani 2/14). Man of the Match: Altaf
Nazar Guys 172-5 (Nayeem 71, Mazhar 68; Imtiyaz 2-29) beat Jeddah Strikers 97 (Aslam 15; Faik 3-10). Man of the Match: Nayeem.
Bugshan Hospiatal CT 89 in 14.3 overs (Sujo 23; Thoufeek 4-10) lost to Independence CC 91-4 in 9.2 overs (Sami 33 not out, Sajeer 2-14). Man of the Match: Thoufeek.
Barkatiya CC 108-5 (Mateen 47; Samad 2-22) lost to Gulf West 111-2 in 9.4 overs (Jamal 81; Abood 1-10). Man of the Match: Jamal.
