DAMMAM — Yet another century by Wahab (165) handed PanGulf a 175-run win over reigning champion NTBDCC in the Premier Division of the Al-Markb Main League 2016-17, organized by Eastern Province Cricket Association (EPCA) here.
Electing to bat first, PanGulf started aggressively as Wahab (165) and Mohsin (123) produced 348 runs. Amir scalped 2 wickets. While chasing a huge target, Khawar (4-49) and Iftikhar (3-46) bundled out NTBDCC for 173. Tanvir (43) and Tahir (26) were the only batsmen to show some resilience.
All-round performance from Kashif secured Honda a convincing 69-run victory over NSCC. Batting first, Honda set a 360-run target through Kashif (151) and Noman (89). Abbas took 3 wickets and Waseem 2. NSCC batsmen batted extremely well especially Abbas (55) and Aftab (48), but fell short of the target as Kashif, Ali, Afaq and Bilal scalped 2 wickets each.
Tamimi outplayed SSQ. Put into bat, SSQ was bowled out for 212 due to excellent bowling by Aqeel (4-47) and Asghar (3-48). Awais (46) and Mehrban (23) contributed with the bat. Tamimi chased the target in just 25.2 overs as Aqeel scored 108. He was well supported by Umer (70 not out). Nabeel took 2 wickets.
KLV Khodari Khan XI continued its winning streak by beating Emerald Ashes in a nail biting match. Emerald Ashes made a modest 252. Tahir played superbly under pressure to score 70, supported by Manu (33) and Sharath (31). Ilyas took 4 for 46 and Saifullah 3-34. In reply KKK lost quick wickets due to excellent bowling by Manu (4-42). Murad showed some resistance by scoring 49. However, experienced Ali Rizwan (67 not out) and Safder (78) were splendid in chasing and earned KKK victory by 3 wickets. KKK made 253-7 in 37 overs.
Bawardi suffered yet another defeat at the hands of EACC. Put into bat, Bawardi was restricted to 210 despite good innings from Shoaib (85) and Liyaqth (49). Ejaz claimed 5-31. EACC easily reached the target in 23 overs for the loss of 3 wickets. Surjit (94) missed his ton by 6 runs, while Afwan remained unbeaten on 64. Bader took 2 wickets.
BDYCC suffered another upset at the hands of DHECC. Batting first BDYCC posted a massive 364. All their batsmen contributed — Bilal (141), Kareemuddin (57) and Manu (47). Asad and Fida claimed 2 wickets each. DHECC batsmen were not ready to surrender as Asad (72), Zia (69), Manazir (50) and Tasswar (49) proved their prowess and handed their team a 1 wicket win. Zainudheen and Kannan claimed 2 wickets each.
In a low-scoring and nail-biting encounter, BHCC emerged victorious over SHXCC by 1 wicket. Batting first, SHXCC was restricted to 125 as Saleem (4-40) and Umer (3-16) spit fire. Bilal scored 35. While chasing BHCC also tumbled due some impressive bowling from Zia and Farhan who scalped 4 wickets each, but managed to cross the winning line with the help of Omer’s 30.
In a one-sided match, HGCC won by 160 runs against DHSCC. Deciding to bat first, a special innings from Tahir (100) with some support of Faizan (37) posted a moderate 255. Shabbir took 3 wickets, while Arif took 2 wickets. The target looked like a mountain when Anwar ran through the batting order of DHSCC and picked up 5-30. He was well supported Abdullah (2-20). DHSCC was bundled out for 95.
A splendid 107 not by Asif handed ECYGCC a comfortable 8-wicket win over GCC. Asked to bat first, GCC posted a reasonable 269. Zahid (69) and Irfan (45) were the key contributors. Asif took 2 wickets. While chasing, the partnership between Asif and Usman (91) helped ECYGCC to reach the target in 35 overs.
SACC suffered a shock loss at the hands of ENERCO. Asked to bat first, SACC was bundled out for 105. Arshad and Aqeel bowled well and claimed 3 wickets each. Pramodh (26) and Babar(19) were the only batsmen who showed some resistance. ENERCO reached the target in just 12.1 overs for the loss of 4 wickets. Tanzeel (45) batted well for Enereco, while Sarwar claimed 2 wickets for SACC.
In other matches, SKFCC won over PSCC by 7 wickets, SCPCO defeated ADCC by 66 runs, while MRCC secured an easy 7-wicket win over SAQCC, Alghamdi defeated Age Dolphins by 8 wickets, AJACC secured a 4-wicket win over Gladiators, EMSCC outplayed PXCC by 144 runs, KKKCC registered a 3-wicket victory over Ashes, PASCC defeated ZUCC by 5 wickets, Falcons nearly escaped and won the match by 1 wicket against TACC and KBCC won over YSCC by 74 runs. — SG
