By Ali Mohammed Khan
JEDDAH — In one of the biggest upsets of this season’s Jeddah Champions Trophy (JCT), a charged up Prime XI sent the tournament favorite Kokan XI packing from the tournament.
Batting first, Prime XI was made to work hard as it managed to post a modest 92 in the allotted 15 overs. But their bowlers displayed excellent skill to bundle out the more fancied Kokan batting lineup for a paltry 78 to book its spot in the quarterfinals. It will now play against Jeddah Gladiators who had an easy outing against Khind CC.
Chasing a target of 156 set by Gladiators, Khind CC never recovered from the early jolts as it was bowled out for 92. Man-of-the-Match Saleem Priya was the chief scorer for Gladiators smashing a 39-ball 62 to take his team into the quarters.
Another front-runner for the trophy, Mangalore Friends, had a disastrous outing as they were bowled out for a meager 62 chasing a target of 102 set by KSA Green. Fazlan was the destroyer in chief for KSA Green as he scored a brisk 56 off 43 balls, while Zaki took 3-15.
The tournament organizer Azizia Deccan also had an easy outing. It chased down a target of 83 set by Arabian XI as Man-of-the-Match Minhaj remained unbeaten on 38. Earlier, Azizia Deccan bowlers displayed superb control as they restricted Arabian XI to 82. Mubeen, Abdul Wasay and Noushad picked up 2 wickets apiece.
IOE Cricketers also booked a spot in the quarterfinals beating Yorkshire. Batting first, Yorkshire got off to a good start but Man-of-the-Match Haris took 3 wickets in 4 balls to derail the momentum as Yorkshire fell short of posting a competitive score.
Reliance CT, Coastal Gladiators and Jeddah Warriors are the other teams who made it into the last 8 by winning against Nazar Guys, Gulf West and KSA Red, respectively.
Quarterfinals lineup: Azizia Deccan vs. Coastal Gladiators, Prime XI vs. Jeddah Gladiators, KSA Green vs. Jeddah Warriors Club and Reliance CT vs. IOE Cricketers
The tournament is being organized by Azizia Deccan in association with Saudi Cricket Centre (SCC). The title sponsor is Al-Miawiah and the co-sponsors are Al-Salem York, Aqualite, Clas, G21 Optics and Intalaka Group.
Brief scores:
Jeddah Gladiator 155-5 in 15 overs (Saleem Priya 62; Farooq 2-24). Khind CC 92-7 (Abdul Rahman 17. Hamza 2-8). Man of the Match: Saleem Priya.
KSA Red 101-7 (Badar 18; Kabeer 2-16). Jeddah Warriors Club 105-3 in 13.4 overs (Akbar 32. M.K Malik 1-13). Man of the Match: Kabeer.
Reliance CT 103-10 in 14.5 Overs (Nayeem 26; Mazhar 4-17). Nazar Guys 68-10 in 13.1 overs (Shahed 12; Mazhar Ali 3-13). Man of the Match: Mazhar Ali.
Costal Gladiators 113-5 (Altaf 33; Arshad 2-11). Gulf West 110-7 (Jamal 31; Mujahid 2-19). Man of the Match: Altaf.
Yorkshire 88 (Azhar 20; Haris 3-17). IOE Cricketers 89-4 in 11 overs (Waqas 25; Shakeel 2-20). Man of the Match: Haris.
Arabian XI 82-8 (Amer 16; Mubeen 2-8). Azizia Deccan 83-2 in 12.4 overs
(Minhaj 38 not out; Nadeem 1-19). Man of the Match: Ahmed Minhaj Abbas.
KSA Green 101-8 (Fazlan 56; Abdul Raheem 3-20). Mangalore Friends 65 in 13.3 overs (Ashraf 12; Zaki 3-15). Man of the Match: Fazlan.
The Prime XI 92-5 (Adham 35; Nawab 2-18). Kokan XI 78-7 (Sajjad 29; Rizwan 3-11). Man of the Match: Adham.
