RIYADH —

Riyadh Cricket Association started the 2nd tournament of the season 2018-19. Sponsored by Vestona Royce, the tourney will be a T20 event. A total of 57 teams are participating in four divisions, namely Al-Kharaj League, Huraymala League, Hayer League and Diriyah League.

Al-Kharaj League

In the opening match, Lahore Badshah defeated Pakistan Falcons by 5 runs in a thriller. Batting first, Lahore Badshah posted 204-7. Malik Fahad top scored with 66 and got good support from Fahad (41) and Mudasir (40). Arif, Faisal and Waseem took 2 wickets each. In reply, Pakistan Falcons were restricted to 199 runs. Tauqeer remained unbeaten on 72, Asim mustered 40. Malik Fahad picked up 3 wickets. Pak Shaheen lost to Sama Steel by 6 wickets. Pak Shaheen got all out for 185. Abdul Wahab scored 50 and Ali 42. Bilal and Adnan took 3 wickets each, while Kamran and Raja took 2 wickets each. Sama Steel got to the target in 18.5 overs. Rizwan (30), Raja (45) and Kamran (59) chased the total comfortably.

Huraymala League

Punjab Kings thumped Kashmir Strikers by 28 runs. Punjab Kings piled up 212-5. Rustam top scored with 68 and Roshan made 41. Sameer took 2 wickets. Kashmir Strikers managed 184 in reply. Sameer hammered 85 off 36 balls and Mushtaq scored 44. Ejaz grabbed 3 wickets, while Mudasir got 2.

Sinmar lost to Riyadh Zalmi by 36 runs. Riyadh Zalmi posted 224-5. Rizwan blasted 93 off 51 balls, while Imran made 49. Sainal took 2 wickets. Sinmar was restricted to 188 in 19.1 overs. Riyas showed some resistance with 43. Tauseef bagged 3 wickets, while Sohail and Imran claimed 2 wickets each.

AR Sports Green registered a victory over Pak Riderz by 40 runs. AR Sports Green collected 197 in the allotted overs. Abdulaziz hit 69 and Mohammad 46. Yasir, Aziz and Danish bagged 2 wickets each. Pak Riderz scored 157. Danish and Umair scored 44 and 34, respectively. Shahid bowled well and picked up 4 wickets.

Karachi Kings lost to Falcons by 39 runs. Falcons scored 169. Farrukh played a sensible knock of 67 and Ateeq mustered 31. Aftab and Irfan grabbed 3 wickets each. Karachi Kings fumbled to 130. Saif (44) and Mohsin (32) were the only batsmen to put up some fight. Farhan and Sohail picked up 3 wickets each.

Hayer League

Kashmir XI cruised to victory over Challengers XI by 35 runs. Kashmir XI piled up 183. Amir smashed 63 and Noor 42. Fawad and Srinivas took 2 wickets each. Challengers XI managed 148. Kishor top scored with 42. Amir grabbed 3 wickets and Irfan got 2.

Baloch Fighters humbled Indian Strikers by 70 runs. Baloch Fighters tallied 204. Abu Bakar hammered 51 off 21 balls, while Faqeer made 29. Fenil picked up 4 wickets. Indian Strikers scored 134. Gopi showed some resistance with 30. Shafqat took 4-15. Abu Baker and Farhan claimed 2 each.

The match between Tigers and Swat Tigers ended in a thrilling tie. Tigers scored 172. Salish scored 69 and Usman 34. In reply, Swat Tigers were all out in 13.4 overs. Sadiq hit 51 and Israr 34. Azhar was simply unplayable as he bagged 7 wickets in his 3.4 overs.

Battargram Zalmi won against Al-Riyadh Zalmi by 4 wickets. Al-Riyadh Zalmi racked up 203. Raheel (54), Shabir (35) and Samiullah (29) were the main contributors. Shawkat claimed 4 wickets, while Asim took 3. Battargram rushed to the target in 18.4 overs through Shad (58) and Arif (67). Faizan, Raheel and Moin took 2 wickets each.

Riyadh Fighters thumped by Riyadh Blues by 5 wickets. Riyadh Fighters posted 220. Imran scored 80 and Yasir 42. Fayaz took 3 wickets. Riyadh Blues succeeded in 19.4 overs. Shakeel top scored with 57 but Himayth’s 19 balls fifty completed the thrilling chase. Yasir took 2 wickets.

Thales won a thriller against Asia XI by 2 runs. Thales compiled 201-8. Aziz played an exciting knock of 58. Nawaz got 3 wickets and Babu 2. Asia XI scored 199. Babu and Mubashir fought hard with 57 and 43, respectively. Behzad bowled with discipline to pick up 4 wickets.

Diriyah League

Asia United thrashed Shinkiari Zalmi by 4 wickets. Shinkiari scored 198. Openers Inam and Momin played brilliant knocks of 87 and 46, respectively. Hamid took 2 wickets. Asia United chased down the target in 18.1 overs through Imran (51), Irfan (38) and Ali (25). Shoaib and Zaib took 2 wickets each.

Gujarat Lions crushed by KAMS IndoPak by 9 wickets. Gujarat Lions put on 177. Yaseen top scored with 70 and Ali made 39. Kamil took 3 wickets. KAMS IndoPak reached the target in 15.5 overs. Ikhlaq (81) and Wajaht (52) remained unbeaten in an easy chase.

White Star Green lost to Knight Hawks by 94 runs. Knight Hawks scored 227-6. Adil smashed 91 off 42 balls and Uzair scored 51. Azim picked up 3 wickets. White Star Green fumbled to 133.Mudasar top scored with 28. Arman bowled an exceptional spell eclipsing 5 wickets. Uzair took 3 wickets.

Shadin Bangla defeated Riyadh Thunders by 3 runs. Shadin Bangla racked up 180. Akul scored 46 and Naeem 31. Noman, Bilal and Fakhar took 2 wickets each. Riyadh Thunders scrambled to 177. Amir played a fighting knock of 61. Akul grabbed 2 wickets. — SG