Al-Falah-Jubail emerge champions of JF Winter Cup 2017’

Al-Khobar: Excitement, passion and the cricketing excellence of “JF WINTER CUP 2017” a knockout cricket tournament for noble cause got off to an exhilarating annual event of sports at SABSA Cricket Ground in Rakah (Al-Khobar, Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia). The extraordinary Cricket Tournament was organized by Dammam Unit of ‘Jam’iyyatul Falah’ a charitable organization.

The cold grey morning with wet foggy sky didn’t changed the mood of Cricket Tournament and it took off smoothly with great piece of enthusiasm by all the players of 16 top cricket teams of Eastern Province. All the matches played had shown a marvelous piece of performance and the real sportsman spirit was displayed by all the players during the entire Tournament. The excitement and interest towards the game was beautifully and skillfully exhibited by all the cricket teams despite of 8 over a side match.

Mohammed Sharief Sultan, President of JF Dammam Unit inaugurated the opening ceremony and Mohammad Siraj, the JF sports coordinator had described the rules and regulations on the ground to all the Cricket Teams and the inaugural match of the preliminary round between “CBC” and “Indo Gulf” was started off on-time and followed by all other matches as scheduled. All preliminary and quarter final matches were played in the morning session, the Semi-Finals and Finals were played in the afternoon session and the grand presentation party concluded the tournament with delightful atmosphere.

In the Finals, Al-Falah defeated Khobar United by 21runs. Khobar United won the toss and elected to field first. Raees and Nisar opened the innings for Al-Falah. Nisar got out of second ball of the match for duck. Also, Al-Falah lost their vital wicket of Sajid in the third over. At this moment, Captain Malik Munna joined Raees, both played magnificently by hitting boundaries and sixes, with the support from Thasleem and Ashfaq. At the end Al-Falah were able to reach commendable total of 91 for 8 in allotted 8 over. Raees scored 46runs with 4 sixes and 3 boundaries and Malik Munna scored 12runs. For Khobar United, Khashif took 3/18 and Safdar took 3/22.

Chasing the target of 92 is a big task for Khobar United in allotted 8 over. Khobar United opened the inning with Anis and Thoufeeq, both star batsmen got out in the quick interval when the score was 7. At this crucial moment, Khasif joined Zeeshan and start to build up a good partnership for the 3rd wicket but failed, as Khashif out for duck. Then Safdar and Zeeshan both played steadily by rotating the strikes and added 40runs for 4th wicket. After the fall of Safdar, Khobar United middle-order batsmen found difficult to score runs against fine bowling and fielding performance by Al-Falah bowlers. Khobar United were able to score only 70 for 7 in allotted 8 over. Al-Falah won the match by 21runs. Zeeshan scored 24runs and Safdar scored 20runs. For Al-Falah, Raees took 2/11 and Ashfaq took 2/15.

Raees of Al-Falah was judged “Man of the Match” for his outstanding performance in the Finals.

Prior to the mega Finals, first Semi-Final was played between Al-Falah v/s Amaco. Batted first Amaco scored 71runs in allotted 8 over. Saleem 40runs and Irshan took 3/7. Batted second Al-Falah won the match by 5 wickets (72/5). Sameer 30runs and Mansoor took 2/15.

Second Semi-Finals was played between SASP Jubail v/s Khobar United. Batted first Khobar United 87runs in allotted 8 over. Thoufeeq 30runs and Parvez took 3/21. Batted second SASP managed to score 85runs in allotted 8 over. Deepak 23runs and Safdar took 2/19.

The first half of the Tournament was well executed by all the 16 Cricket Teams. The second half of the Tournament – the post-match presentation and the closing ceremony – was hosted by Junaid Ibn Munaff. The program commenced with Qirath by Master Abdul Rahman. President of JF Dammam Unit, Mohammed Sharief Sultan addressed the audience with his welcome speech and thanked the audience for their kind presence and immediately followed a brief introduction of Jam’iyyatul Falah and its activities by Ex-NRCC Ameer Shahul Hameed.

The presence of prominent guests and audience had built a pleasant environment of joy and happiness on the ground and their presence was appreciated by the Host. The Main Sponsors for the Cricket Tournament “IDEALINK”, “JAFCO”, “UIPS”, “NMC” “FEMCO” “AZMEEL” and “UNICOIL” were presented with memento. The main sponsors and distinguished guests had shared and invited on the dais including Chief Guest Sudeer Punathil (MD, Idealink), Sadashiv Poojary (President, MASA), Naveen Bandari (Vice-President, MASA), Ashok Patel (President, DCA), Ehtessam (Treasurer, DCA), Iqbal Bhai (Ground-in-Charge, Zamil) and Dildar (Captain, Khobar United).

The host took the opportunity on behalf of JF Dammam Unit and tribute all the wonderful moments of “JF Winter Cup 2017” to all the players of 16 Cricket Teams for showing the great sportsmen spirit throughout the Tournament and received a huge applaud from the great audience. He thanked all the 16 Cricket Teams and encouraged them as a WINNER of ‘JF Winter Cup 2017’, because they all played for the Noble Cause, for which JF Dammam Unit always thankful for their charitable contribution.

NRCC Ameer Mansour Ali Ahmed remembered and extended heartfelt condolence to Late Mahmood Saad (Ex-President of JF Dammam Unit) and dedicated the “JF Winter Cup 2017” on his memory.

Committee Members of JF Dammam Unit presented the memento to all the Main Sponsors, Co-Sponsors and Well Wishers of Jam’iyyatul Falah.

Subsequently, the prize distribution ceremony was hosted by Javed Sayed and he announced the winners of ‘Man of the Match’ awardees for their performance in the Preliminary, Quarter Final, Semi-Final and Finals. Individual awards were presented to different players in various categories.

Best Batsman awarded to Zeeshan of Khobar United.
Best Bowler awarded to Safdar of Khobar United.
Best Wicket Keeper awarded to Nainar of Al-Falah.
Best Fielder awarded to Sajid of Al-Falah.

Raees of Al-Falah judged “Player of the Tournament” for his remarkable bowling and batting performance throughout the tournament. He also won the Return Air-Ticket sponsored by Arjaa Travel & Tourism. The best batsman Zeeshan received a Bat as a complimentary gift sponsored by Almajdouie Cricket Club.

Malik Munna, the Captain of “Al-Falah” Cricket Team collected the Winner’s Trophy from Chief Guest Sudeer Punathil of IDEALINK and at the same time, each winning players had collected their individual trophies. Dildar, the Captain of “Khobar United” Cricket Team collected the Runners-up trophy and the players were distributed with their individual trophies. Vote of thanks was proposed by Mohammad Sharief Sultan, President of JF Dammam Unit.