It’s MCH vs. Ace Travel in JCA CIT-SPL fina

By Aijaz Ahmed Khan JEDDAH — MCH Premier comfortably won the Qualifier 2 match by a whopping margin of 100 runs with records tumbling in the penultimate week of this CIT SPL T20 event and set up a title clash with giant Ace Travel at JCA Complex Friday. An interesting duel is on the cards as MCH Premier seeks revenge for its Qualifier 1 28-run loss to Ace Travel which is also determined to come out champion with a clean slate. The chief guest on the penultimate week was community leader and former Andhra Pradesh state football player Ghazanfar Ali Zaki. The event is mainly sponsored by Canadian International Trading (CIT) and co-sponsored by Initial Services, Ace Travel and Tours, Hyderabad Sharks, Maui Jim Sunglasses, Pepsi (Sipco), Mizo Juices (Arrow Foods), Khind Electronics and Bison. MCH Premier openers Irfan Nazir and Kashif Shafiq (promoted to open), got off to a solid start going on the offensive from the first ball as they put on a century stand, followed it up with a double century and finally went on to put 312 runs — a record partnership for the opening wicket in JCA. Irfan Nazir scored a brilliant 155 in only 47 balls, which included 18 fours and 11 sixes, while Kashif Shafiq matching him ball to ball scored an unbeaten 148 in 53 balls,inclusive of 17 boundaries and 9 hits over it. With the departure of Irfan, MCH Premier’s wickets fell like nine pins as Rafaqat had the remaining batsmen caught in his spin web to take all 8 wickets to fall for 32 (which is a record in CIT SPL) as no batsmen stayed at the crease, wanting to hit every ball and giving away their wickets at regular intervals. MCH Premier ended at a massive 352-8 in 20 overs with Kashif carrying his bat through. In reply, Hala International School after being bludgeoned all over the field, gave a spirited fightback, scoring 252-4, despite losing its prolific opener Shahjahan in the second over for 12 runs. Thereafter, Jawad blasted a quickfire 100 off 48 balls (13 fours, 3 sixes) to register his maiden century in SPL. Jawad, along with Amir who scored 53 in 30 balls (5 fours and 2 sixes), Usman (35 in 18 balls) and Rafaqat (27 in 14 balls) did well to take their team to 252-4, 100 short of target. Kashif, Adnan and Usman took a wicket each. Awards of the week: Man of the Match — Kashif Shafiq (148 not out and a wicket) of MCH; Maximum Sixes – 11, Irfan Nazir of MCH; Best Fielder — Shahjahan Rajpoot of Hala International School (2 catches and 3 stumping).