MCH Premier retains CIT SPL T20 Cup

By Aijaz Ahmed Khan JEDDAH — Defending champion of 2015-16 MCH Premier retained the CIT Saudi Premier League (SPL) T20 crown 2016-17, overcoming Ace Travel by 16 runs in a high-scoring thrilling final here recently. The event was organized by Jeddah Cricket Association (JCA), sponsored by Canadian International Trading (CIT) and co-sponsored by Initial Services, Ace Travel & Tours, Hyderabad Sharks, Maui Jim Sunglasses, Pepsi, Mizo Juices, Khind Electronic and Bison. The final match preparations were done excellently under the guidance of JCA CEO Muhammad Iqbal, V.P. Hamid Rana, Executive Secretary Haroon Abdullah, excom member Syed Arif Hashmy, who put his extra effort for all the logistics support to maintain the JCA complex facilities, Syed Ashfaque Hussain and Zaheer Peeran. There was an aura of festivity at the JCA Cricket Complex on the day of the final. Elaborate arrangements were made by the committee with sitting arrangements, both outside and inside the pavilion, advertising hoardings fully decked up around the boundary line and at the stage for the prize distribution ceremony. Running commentary was given and the match was beamed live on Facebook as the two captains Abdul Wahid of Ace Travel and Shahbaz Rasheed of MCH Premier. MCH Premier, electing to bat, scored 261-5 in 20 Overs. Openers Irfan Rana and Kashif Shafiq put on an opening partnership 88 in 7 overs before Kashif (14) was out caught by Iftikhar off Abdul Wahid. Inform batsman Irfan continued to play some delightful strokes all around the wicket along with skipper Shahbaz Rasheed and they produced 165 for the second wicket to put MCH Premier in a commanding position. Irfan raced to his fourth century of SPL and went on to make 157 from 63 balls. His knock contained 10 sixes and 19 fours and it was the second consecutive innings of over 150, having scored 155 in Qualifier 2 match. Such was the champion’s dominance that it clobbered 52 runs in the 18th and 19th overs, which made the difference between the teams. Shahbaz scored 56 off 34 balls (2 sixes, 4 fours). MCH Premier lost two more wickets — Abu Hurairah (1) and Babar Hussain (2) — to end at 261-5. Abdul Wahid took 2-41 and Sami Khan supported him with 2-53. In reply, Ace Travel matching MCH Premier ball by ball scored 245-4 in 20 overs. Openers Moazzam Shaukat and Asif started with a thunder, launching their fusillade from the very first ball. They plundered runs at will off all bowlers and scored 86 runs by the sixth over. Mouzzam, who till then batted elegantly, fell attempting one too many shots for 43 off 27 balls with 2 sixes and 6 fours. Khurram broke the opening partnership in his second over. Asif and skipper Abdul Wahid continued with the same tempo, always ahead of MCH Premier run rate as they put on a second wicket partnership of 90 with Asif scoring 58 off 32 balls inclusive of 2 sixes and 7 fours. After the departure of Asif, Abdul Wahid slowed down a bit for 2 overs before going for the big shots but eventually perished, bowled for 85 off 47 balls with 3 sixes and 10 fours. Later Bilal launched a final bid scoring an unbeaten 21 (4 fours), but asking rate was a shade high and Ace Travel’s valiant fight finally ended at 245-4 in 20 overs. Abdul Wahid, Khurram and Abu Huraira took a wicket each. Awards: Player of the Final and maximum sixes (10) — Irfan Nazir Fana of MCH Premier. Best Fielder — Bilal of Ace Travel.