RIYADH — Quarterfinals of the third Youm Al-Watani Cup (YWC) produced exciting matches. Two of the four matches went to the last over and the fourth was a last ball decider. YWC is organized by G K International Indian Sports Club, under Saudi Softball Cricket Association and supported by Saudi cricket Centre (SCC), as part of celebration of the Kingdom's National day (Youm Al-Watani). The quarterfinals were delayed by a week due to rains. Semifinals line-up: SF Syed's Najd Najams vs. A R Sports Dammam Fighters and Dream India Saudi Gems vs. Delta Najran Jewels. Baber helped Dream India Saudi Gems to a comfortable win against Alga Tabuk Titans. Returning to the team after a gap of 5 matches, Baber scored a splendid 107 (35 balls — 4x1, 6x14) along with captain Ehsan Shakeel 37 (19 — 4x1, 6x4) and Arafath 36 (13 — 4x5, 6x2). They piled up 229-4 after electing to bat. Alga could only make 145-8 as it lost wickets at regular intervals. Baber also helped the team with the ball taking 3-29 along with Ibrahim (2-28). Masoom 39 (39 — 4x2, 6x4) and Sameer 25 (17 — 6x3) batted well. Baber's all-round show earned him not only the Player of the Match but also the Mir Groups' Star of the Day cup. Hafsa-Sayeed Khobar Knights made the defending champion Syed's Najd Najams to sweat for a semifinal berth. Electing to bat first, Najd made 148-9 in 15.2 overs against fine pace bowling from Khobar bowlers Manzoor (4-45), Rajmon (3-23) and Rajeev (2-33). Saleem 58 (22 — 4x2, 6x7) and Amir 23 (11 — 4x2, 6x2) boosted Najd's total. Khobar was in command till the 10th over but Mirza (3-12 in 2.2 overs) tilted the match against it. Amir (3-18) and Himayath (3-25) also scalped important wickets. Siyad (24 – 4x2, 6x2) and Rajeev (21 – 15, 6x2) scored for Khobar Knights. Khobar needed 22 runs from the last three overs. But Saleem's maiden 14th over changed the game and Khobar lost the match by 18 runs. Saleem was named the Player of the Match. Mir Saudi Stallion went down fighting to Delta Najran Jewels by 13 runs. Electing to bat first, Najran had a shaky start but Nouman put on a solid batting performance (106 — 36 balls, 4x2, 6x14) along with Saqlain (40) and Saleem (20) to post 231-7. Asiq (4-35) and Siddiq (2-68) scalped Delta wickets. Mir's was off to a good start making 108 in 9 overs through openers Vishnu (78 – 37, 4x1, 6x8) and Naqeeb (76 – 25, 4x3, 6x9). Ahmed (30 – 12, 4x1, 6x3) in the final overs brought Stallion to 218-5 but lost the match by 13 runs. Nouman (2-34) and Saleem (2-26) took Mir's wickets. Nouman was adjudged the Player of the Match. The fourth quarterfinal was the best of the day with result coming off the last ball. Captain Mustafa won the toss and his team A R Dammam Fighters tallied 161-8 against Mashal Taif Tigers. Javid 35 (26 — 4x2, 6x2), Azam (37 – 18, 4x1, 6x4) and Imran (35 – 14, 6x5) batted well for Dammam. Hussain (2-46) and Shoaib (2-24) claimed wickets for Mashal. Despite losing crucial wickets, Taif Tigers scored 156-7 through Zakir (54 – 30, 6x6) and Asfaq (40 – 13, 4x3, 6x4). Imran (2-29), Naser (2-35) and Sayeed (2-40) were the main bowlers for Fighters. Taif was almost in the semis as the last 6 balls needed 7 runs. Naser varied the pace to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. He gave only 2 runs from the last 6 balls. Imran's all-round show earned him the Player of the Match award. Details of matches of YWC2015 can be obtained from our official portal partners www.myCriclife.com.
