DAMMAM — Eastern Province Cricket Association (EPCA) season 2017-18 kicked off with 14 teams participating in Premier Division and 32 teams in First Division.
The tournament is played under the banner of SKF Al-Ascon T20, sponsored by Al-Ascon in the memory of late Sikander Kamal Farooqui.
In the Premier Division, Age Dolphins outplayed Marooj Rawan. Batting first, Dolphins posted a mammoth total of 275-4 in 20 overs. Haziq Khan played an excellent innings of 145 off 70 balls. Abdulwaheed, playing after five years, made a well-compiled 70 off 39, while Rehan and Mudassir remained unbeaten on 41 and 25, respectively. In reply, Marooj Rawan was bowled out for 130 as Saad Sikander claimed 3 wickets, while Shiraz and Nadeem claimed two each.
In another match, FMSHK XI defeated Saq Hunters by 6 wickets. Saq Hunter was all out for 146. Qayyum made 28 in 15 balls and Adeel 21 in 16 balls. Imran Munir took 3-14 and Yahya Gul 2-30. FMSHK XI chased down the target in 17 overs for the loss of 4 wickets. Safiullah smashed 34 and Shoaib 32 in 16 balls. Abdul Rehman grabbed 2-35 and Chandan 1-25.
Alfalah thrashed Karachi Strikers by 14 runs. Alfalah made 188 with Nazim smashing 43 in 25 balls and Munawar crafting 31 in 17 balls. Rizwan grabbed 3-34. Karachi Strikers were restricted to 174. Ijaz smashed 51 from 32 balls and Khalid 53 off 42. Naheed and Zaigham grabbed 2 wickets each.
Pak Saudi defeated SFKCC by 5 wickets. SKFCC tallied 177 as Kashan made 51 and Suhail 31. Pak Saudi hit the target in 19.4 overs. Shoaib made 68 with some towering sixes. Veteran Abulhasan (2-26) and Rizwan (2-34) were the pick of the bowlers.
PSS KU and NT Intelligent match was tied. PSS KU made 186. Waqas Bhatti thrashed 75 and Moiz Imran 30. In return, NT Intelligent also made 186. One run was required on the last ball but Kashif was out after smashing 52. Moiz Imran took 3 wickets.
AL-Naimi defeated Pan Gulf in another match.
First Division
Tamimi downed Young Guns by 76 runs. Tamimi made 240-6. Mohsin blasted 71 in 31 balls and Asghar 68 on 28 balls. Imad grabbed 3-27 and Shoaib 2-51. Young Guns collapsed to 165. Saqib hit 25. Aqeel claimed 3-28.
AAA CC defeated Hyderabad Greens by 110 runs. Mohsinuddin remained unbeaten on 108 and Taher smashed 68. Naqash took 3-52. HG was all out for 133. Sajid took 3-24.
Bilal Tigers won against Royal Kashmir by 123 runs. Bilal Tigers posted 235. Bilal Shabbir top scored with 57. Royal Kashmir was restricted to 111.
Pak Shaheen defeated Zalmi United by 84 runs. Pak Shaheen 225 (Tahir 80, Asad Abbas 39; Raif Arif 4 wickets). Zalmi United 141.
Enerco beat Falcons by 6 wickets. Enerco chased 193 in 18 overs. Aqeel Rauf was awarded MOM for his brilliant 58.
Titans downed Jacob Zate by 8 wickets. Titans chased 158 easily in just 12.5 overs. Abdul Rahman smashed a brilliant 81 in 39 balls.
Index Emerald Ashes, Bin Delamah Yorkers, On Dot Freight, Khober United, Team Arabia, Intelligent Hawks, Eastern Arabia and Khober Blasters won their first week matches. — SG
