Carlos D. Ollero

RIYADH — Crowne Plaza captain Nirshad Ahmed led his team to a thrilling two-wicket win over Makarim Riyadh (formerly Sahara Airport Hotel) in the 14th Annual Riyadh Inter-Hotel Cricket Tournament 2013 here recently.



The tournament is hosted by Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers through GM Paul C. Dunphy and supported by all GMs of the participating hotels. It is being played for the benefit of the children of UNICEF.



Makarim won the toss and opted to bat. Crowne Plaza’s fierce bowling lineup proved a handful for Makarim, who was bundled out for 130 in 16 overs. Isamil Sadiq top-scored with 49 (2 sixes and 2 fours). Rajukumar Jagatap Ankusha claimed 4-22, Veerapandiyan Rajendran 3-19, Nirshad Ahmed 1-25 and Rahu Sellaththambi 1-28.



Crowne Plaza openers Santhos Shamroa (5) and Hisbullah Younus Razak (3) went cheaply. However, Rajukumar scored 20 runs and Rahu Sellaththambi 27 (3 fours and one six). Despite losing its best batsmen, Crown Plaza reached 131 for the loss of eight wickets in 14 overs. Makarim’s Kamran Asghar bagged 3-30 and Muhammad Ali claimed 2-18.



In the afternoon match, defending champion Inter-Continental, skippered by Sameer Bhakshey, beat last year’s runner-up Riyadh Marriott, captained by Nadeem Ahmed, by seven wickets.



Marriott, batting first, scored 171-7. Munna scored 36 (4 sixes and one four). Intercon’s Zaib Alam claimed 4-41, while Mohamed Haneef bagged 3-39.



In reply, Intercon was off to a bad start with opener Asif Qudur back in the pavilion first ball. Mohammed Haneef added 42 (4 fours and 3 sixes), skipper Sameer Bakshey 43 (5 sixes and 3 fours) and Mohamed Javed 33 (3 sixes and 2 fours) as Intercon reached 176-3 in 15 overs.



Intercon remains unbeaten in four matches and secured a berth in the Group A semifinals with the latest win.