“Let’s play some good cricket, no, let’s play the best cricket” were the words of Eastern Region Cricket Association (ERCA) president Mr. Majaz Qadri, while motivating the lads of his own team and all the players around. Since the overcast weather has engulfed the whole Eastern province of Saudi Arabia, the sensation of playing cricket, on fully rolled and leveled grounds is completely different. The work of ERCA Excom, speaks for itself for the efforts they have put in to generate such enthralling experience of cricket is astonishing. The fielders have never been so confident of diving on plane sandy fields as they have been doing so in ERCA, and that speaks for the quality of grounds for itself.
A total of five matches were played last Friday, and spectators witnessed some fine nail bitters as well. As the tournament is reaching its peak, the top teams from each group are eying a place in the top two of the pool to mark their places in the Semis.
The first match was played between the top ranking teams of their respective groups, Eastern Arabia KLV Khodari C.C and Hyderabad Green C.C. The match was reduced to 18 overs per each side, and having won the toss Eastern Arabia KLV Khodari C.C decided to bat first and scored a mammoth total of 180/9 in their allotted 18 overs. This time Captain of Eastern Arabia KLV Khodari C C Imran Rasheed led from the front as he scored a brilliant 54(34) which was assisted by Naushad Bajal, who scored 36 runs on just 18 deliveries. Down the innings it was also supported by all time stars of EA KLV C.C Abdulrahman who scored a brillinat cameo of 29 runs on just 13 deliveries. On the other hand, our very own Abdullah Omer was the pick of the bowlers, who picked 5 wickets for just 22 runs. In reply Hyderabad Green C.C started very well with Arshad Mehmood scoring 46(31) runs, along with Mohammad Jaffer who scored a quick 41 on just 20 deliveries. At one stage it felt as if the game will be taken away by Hyderabad Greens C.C with some brilliant batting from Atif Hussain who also managed to score a brisk knock of 36(35), but somehow, Eastern Arabia KLV Khodari C.C managed to contain them with their fine bowling line. Mohammad Imran, Abdul Rahman and Imran Sajid managed to pick up 1 wicket each. Imran Rasheed was awarded the man of the match for his all round performance.
The second game was played between Baker Hughes GE C.C and Kites C.C. Having won the toss Baker Hughes GE C.C decided to bat first but was restricted to 129/09 by some fine bowling from Kites bowlers. Adil Humayun was the pick of the batsmen who scored 82(62) runs. From Kites, Anfin Nedumannil and Zubair Annikunil were pick of the bowlers who managed to grab 2 wickets each. In reply Kites C.C chased the total in 15.3 overs with five wickets still in hand. Abdul Raouf scored 40(25) runs which was assisted by Malik Idinabba who also scored 28(21) runs. Fayyaz Karim was the only bowler from Baker Hughes GE C.C to grab 2 wickets for his side. Man of the Match was awarded to Abdul Raouf for his brillinat batting.
The third game was a real nail bitter, and spectators are still carrying joyous memories. It was played between Pasha Eleven C.C & Abbottabad Tigers C.C. Pasha Eleven having won the toss decided to bat first, but was restricted to 138/10 in 19.4 overs, by some brilliant bowling performance from the Tigers from Abbotabad. Yasir Riaz and Nazeer Hussain were the top performers by scoring 26(24) & 24(24) respectively. Zahid Akhtar, Sajid Mehmood and Naveed Akhtar were pick of the bowlers from Abbotabad Tigers C.C who managed to grab 2 wickets each respectively. In reply, Abbotabad Tigers C.C faced a lethel bowling attach from Baker Hughes GE C.C, as they fought brilliantly to the last ball, but Abbotabad Tigers C.C held their nerves and emerged victorious chasing down the total on second last ball of the 20th over. Mohammad Ibrahim played the knock of his career by scoring an unbeaten 41 runs on just 25 deliveries and made sure that his team siezes the victory. Amjad Khan also supported him by scoring 30(27) runs. Ifitkhar Ali bowled beautifully and managed to grab 3 wickets for just 19 runs. Mir Asif Ali and Abid Basheer picked up 2 wickets each for Pasha Eleven. Mohammad Ibrahim was awarded the man of the match for his brilliant match winning knock.
The fourth match of today was also a nail bitter. It was played between Britam Arabia Mavericks C.C and Al Tuwairqi C.C. Having won the toss and with slight over cast conditions, Captain of Britam Arabia Mavericks C.C Mohammad Naseer, decided to bat first. Openers Danish Irfan & and Badar Munir started the innings steadily and managed to put up 80 in 8 overs before Badar Munir was dismmised after scoring a quick 41 runs on just 31 deliveries. Danish Irfan held the crease from one end, as he was supported by his team mates down the order, and were manage to put up a fighting total of 169/6 in their alloted 20 overs. Danish Irfan was the top scorer by scoring 57(47) runs. From Al Tuwairqi C.C Sheraz Rizwan was the pick of the bowlers who grabbed 4 wickets by giving away 19 runs. In reply Al Tuwarqi started off with some fire power by one and only Aftab Magre, one of the experienced wicket keeper opening batsman, who scored 44 on just 20 deliveries before getting dismissed. Naveed Abrar showed his class as well and scored a brilliant innings of 40 runs on just 29 deliveries. The game went to the last over where just 3 runs were required to win and five wickets were still in hand. But the drama continued as young Tahir Ali bowled brilliantly. The first three balls were dott and the fourth delivery was a wicket. Unfortunately the very next delivery was declared a no ball which resulted in couple of runs and that concluded the match with Al Tuwaiqi seizing the victory with just 2 balls to spare and 4 wickets in hand. Mohammad Bin Naseer managed two wickets in his spell of 4 overs but still were unable to contain Al Tuwairqi C.C. Man of the match was awarded to Seraz Rizwan for his brilliant bowling performance.
The last game of the day was played between Kashmir United C.C and SAB Warriors C.C. SAB Warriors having won the toss, scored a mamoth total of 197/6 in their alloted 20 overs. Balu Biju George and Tayyab Khalil put up a marvelluous batting display and scored 62(39) and 39(13) respectively. Feroz Khan also chipped in down the order with 38(34) runs. The one and only legendary Rizwan Qayyum was seen in action for the first time in ERCA from Kashmir United C.C. He managed to grab 3 wickets for his team. In reply, Kashmir United C.C innings was reduced to 18 overs due to slow over rate and they managed to score 179/6 in their alloted overs. Abdulwaheed and Waqarullah were top performers for Kashmir United who scored 54(36) & 33(18) runs respectively. Umar Farooq, Muhammad Muthalif and Faisal Nawaz were the pick of the bowlers from SAB Warriors C.C, who grabbed 2 wickets each for their team and restricted Kashmir United C.C from chasing down the total. Man of the match was awarded to Balu Biju George for his excellent batting.
The teams above are the asset, key and major ingredient for any cricketing body to succeed. They are the fuel of our ERCA, which is running day and night to provide a better cricketing environment and infrastructure to promote cricket in this region. Live scoring has been introduced for the first time in Saudi Arabia by ERCA. Now we can have ball to ball coverage of each match on our smart phones or computers. It is the most friendliest yet competitive environment, for the players to play cricket. This encourages solidarity among the communities and builds strong connection among the players which in turn creates a healthy environment for cricket to prosper. No matter from where you are, ERCA always welcomes the everyone specially the youngsters to play best of their cricket. At the end it’s the cricket that unites us all, when every Friday we see stumps shattering and towering sixes, which creates a perfect Bohemian Rhapsody when it all comes together.
Also Read:
Promises kept in ERCA T20 season 2018-19: Highlights from week 3
ERCA T20 season 2018-19: Some extravagant display of cricket
Saudi Arabia | ERCA T20 season 2018-19: Highlights from week 1
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Congratulations to all winning teams.
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