RIYADH — Pak Shaheen defeated Sama Steel by 6 wickets in the final of the 40-over Al Kharj League of the SAIB Cup Chicket championship, organized by Riyadh Cricket Association (RCA) and sponsored by Saudi Arabian Investment Bank (SAIB).

During this week, quarterfinals of Huraymala, Hayer and Diriyah Leagues were also played.

In Al-Kharj final, Sama Steel won the toss and elected to bat first. It lost 2 quick wickets but Awais and Ramzan provided the innings with some stability. Awais scored 130 and Ramzan added 55. Later in the lower middle order, Kashif played well for 58. Thanks to these 3 solid contributions, Sama Steel managed a decent total of 325. Usman Manzoor was the pick of the bowlers with 7-49. Faisal also bowled well for 2-52.

Pak Shaheen started the chase in style with openers Abdul Waheed and Usman Manzoor playing strokes all over the park. Abdul Waheed blasted yet another century and eventually got out on 141 off just 75 balls. Usman Manzoor hit 79 off 50 balls. Later, Faisal Khan’s 53 off 29 balls took Pak Shaheen home comfortably in 32.4 overs. Usman Manzoor was declared the Man of the Match for his brilliant all-round performance.

Hayer League T20

Asia XI defeated King Lions XI by 46 runs. Asia XI posted 189-6. Babu added 43 and Sohail 29. Tangid and Abdulkalam took 2 wickets each. King Lions XI managed 143-7. Jasim scored 30 and Sohag 28. Adil and Nawas grabbed 2 wickets each. Man of the Match: Babu.

Swat Tigers beat defending champion Sinmar CC by 40 runs. Swat Tigers tallied 212-7 through Shahzad (90) and Ashraf (49). Navas picked up 2 wickets. Sinmar CC was restricted to 172-9. Riyas Chukkan scored 66. Qaiser and Anwar claimed 3 wickets each. Man of the Match: Shahzad.

Thales CC downed Riyadh Zalmi CC by 44 runs. Thales CC recorded 202-9. Sheraz Ahmed hit 100 off 52 balls and Zaheer 65 off 45 balls. Shoaib, Shahid and Adnan took 2 wickets each. Riyadh Zalmi was all out for 158. Rizwan top scored with 52. Sheraz Ahmed picked up 3 wickets, while Abdul Khader and Ali Behzad got 2 wickets each. Man of the Match: Sheraz Ahmed.

Green Bangla thrashed Kashmir CC by 8 wickets. Kashmir CC was bundled out for 144. Amir managed 38 and Saqib 30. Abu Musa grabbed 4 wickets, while Jahanoor Rashid, Anower Hossain and Saqib got 2 each. Green Bangla got to the target in 13.3 overs. Zahidul Islam made 61 and Zakir Hussain 59. Man of the Match: Abu Musa. In the semifinals, Asia XI will play against Swat Tigers CC and Thales CC will meet Green Bangla CC. — SG