JEDDAH — JCA President XI defeated Saudi Premier League Champion team My Care Hala (MCH) Premier by 2 runs in a thriller, organized by Jeddah Cricket Association (JCA) on the New Year's Day. This festival match was organized as a warm up before the start of new Ace Travel Premier League. The JCA President XI was formed from the rest of the teams in the league. The teams played for the Mumtaz Cup, sponsored by CEO of Mumtaz Group of companies, Mohammed Rafeeq. JCA President XI won the toss and elected to bat first. It piled up a huge total of 337-6 in 36 overs against the Saudi Premier League champion. JCA President XI openers Moazzam Shoukat (63) and Adnan (27) started well. Later Abdul Wahed (64), Ather Abdul Quddus (53 not out), Amer Wahla (63), Rashid (18 not out) and Sami Khan (10) boosted the total. There were 38 extras. Usman took 2-37, Babar Hussain 1-28, Abu Huraira 1-51 and Imran 1-68 for the MCH. In reply, MCH Premier lost the top three batsmen cheaply — run machine Qamar Awan for 15, Kashif Shafiq for 9 and Nadeem for a duck. But Shahbaz Rasheed blasted 154 off 90 balls with 15 boundaries and 4 sixes. He anchored the innings with captain Babar Hussain, who made a patient knock of 84 off 64 balls. They produced 242 runs for the fourth wicket. But after their departure the remaining batsmen wilted. With 32 extras, MCH almost reached there (335-9) but fell short by three runs for a win. Left-arm fast bowler Iftekhar took 2-53, Abdul Wahed 2-57, Mohammad 2-67 and Sami Khan 1-52. Shahzad Rasheed was adjudged the Man of the Match. Soon after the match, JCA CEO Muhammad Iqbal distributed the prizes to the winners and the best performers. He thanked umpires Zahid Khan and Javed, match referee Syed Ashfaque Hussain, team manager Syed Arif Hashmi and the coordinator of this match Haroon Abdullah Bin Mahfooz.
