By Aijaz Ahmed Khan
JEDDAH — Banswada Ball Burners, Jeddah Royal Challengers, Hyderabad Sharks, Pepsi Deccan Knights, MB Stars and Multan Tigers began their quest for the Ace Travel Saudi Cup with convincing wins over their respective opponents in the first 2 weeks of the matches. The Afternoon Saudi Cup is sponsored by Ace Travel & Tours and organized under the aegis of Jeddah Cricket Association.
Twelve participating teams play each other on round-robin league format with top 4 teams qualifying for the knockout to decide the winner and runner-up.
In the first week matches, new entrant Banswada Ball Burners beat Peeran XI by 10 wickets with openers Qaiser (48) and Salman (76) remaining unbeaten after their bowlers did a splendid job in restricting their opponents to 137 for 5.
Shahzad continued his superb form of SPL and Kanoo League scoring an unbeaten 80 in 37 balls with 9 fours and 4 sixes to lead Hyderabad Sharks to a 9-wicket win over ICAD. Jeddah Royal Challengers, a new entrant, scored a 36 runs win over Saudi German Hospital with bowler Naveed picking up 4 for 4 and Ihsan 3 for 34.
Banswada Ball Burners beat Peeran XI by 10 wickets
Peeran XI 137 for 5 (Noman 25, Abdul Razzaq 38, Raheel 3 for 21). Banswada Ball Burners 138 for no loss (Qaiser 48 n.o., Salman Malik 76 n.o.)
Hyderabad Sharks beat ICAD by 9 wickets
ICAD 136 all out (Munawwar 38, Sharoz 4 for 24, Shahzad 2 for 3). Hyderabad Sharks 137 for one (Shahzad 80, Arif 35).
Jeddah Royal Challengers beat Saudi German Hospital by 36 runs
Jeddah Royal Challengers 190 for 8 wickets (Aziz 25, Rizwan 27, Bilal 2 for 32, Taqi 2 for 29). Saudi German Hospital 154 all out (Shaan 61, Taqi 21, Imran 2 for 26, Ihsan 3 for 34 Naveed 4 for 4).
In the 2nd week matches Banswada Ball Burners continued their form, albeit scoring a narrow win over ICAD by 9 runs thanks to Owais (67) and Salman (56). Despite Mohsin’s unbeaten 103, inclusive of 10 sixes and 6 fours, ICAD ended up on the losing side. Pepsi Deccan Knights opened their account with Akbar striking a rich haul of 5 for 22 to bundle Malik XI out for 100 runs, before Afroz struck a quick-fire 51 runs.
MB Stars Zia (67) and Jawad (59 and 3 for 48) combined well for their team’s 87 runs win over Saudi German Hospital. New entrant Multan Tigers raced to a 6 wickets win over Jeddah Royal Challengers, with Sayeed putting in a fine all-round performance picking up 2 for 30 runs and then going on to score 59 runs.
Banswada Ball Burners beat ICAD by 9 runs
Banswada Ball Burners 216 for 6 wickets (Qaiser 33, Salman 56, Owais 67, Waqas 25, Shakoor 3 for 23, Ehsan 2 for 22). ICAD 207 for 5 (Waqar 30, Mohsin 103 n.o. — 6 fours, 10 sixes — Shakeel 25).
Pepsi Deccan Knights beat Malik XI by 8 wickets
Malik XI 100 all out (Sagheer 28, Akbar 5 for 22, Ishaq 2 for 19). Pepsi Deccan Knights 101 for 2 (Afroz 51, Najeeb 26, and Nasser 2 for 18).
M.B Stars beat Saudi German Hospital by 87 runs
M.B Stars 271 for 7 wickets (Zia 67, Jawad 59, Ameeq 49, Rashid 2 for 56, Taqi 2 for 46, Huzaifa 2 for 16). Saudi German Hospital 184 all out (Shaan 55, Bilal 33, Huzaifa 24, Jawad 3 for 48, Shahid 2 for 19).
Multan Tigers beat Jeddah Royal Challengers by 6 wickets
Jeddah Royal Challengers 154 for 6 wickets (Rizwan 26, Ehsan 47, Sayeed 2 for 30). Multan Tigers 158 for 4 in 17.5 overs (Sayeed 59, Waqas 41, Rashid 31, Shahzad 2 for 35).
