Nawab Tigers defended the Premier Division title by beating hot favorites Honda in the Al-Turki Main League, organized by the Eastern Province Cricket Association (EPCA). Honda, batting first, started well scoring 50 in five overs. Saad and Kashif (44) were very aggressive scoring 90 percent of their runs by boundaries. But once veteran Salman (3 -37) and Sourab (2-37) claimed the wickets of Saad and Kashif Riaz, respectively, none of the remaining batsmen had any clue what Asif Afridi was bowling. He cut through the Honda innings to claim 5-29. Honda was all out for 166. Chasing the target, openers Tanveer Hussain (50) and Salman Butt (28) of Nawab Tigers were severe against the pace attack of Khawar Abbas scoring at an economy rate of 13.33. Once Salman and Tanveer were sent back to the pavilion, Honda bowled and fielded well. But Ashraf (21 not out) and Tahir (18 not out) ensured that the Tigers hit the target in the 26th over. Kashif Riaz claimed 2-38 and Omar 2-30. Bin Delamah Yorkers crowned champion in First Division Pool A in a dramatic encounter against Khan XI. Batting first, high-scoring Khan XI was bundled out cheaply for 158 in 32 overs. It lost wickets at regular intervals. The highlight of its batting was a 50-run partnership between Yahya Gul (50) and Nadeem Ahmad (46). Kamran Nazir was the pick of the bowlers claiming 4-18. In reply, Bin Delamah found it tough as Khan XI bowled superbly. It also lost wickets at quick intervals. The highlights of the batting were experienced Mohsin Shah's 48 and Mannu's partnership of 50 runs for the fifth wicket and Kamran Nazir's 30 not out. For Khan XI, Ilyas was the pick of the bowlers with 3-30. Pan Gulf Cricket Club emerged winner in First Division Pool B with ease. Two new teams of the season Pan Gulf CC and Aljomaih Automotive played some impressive cricket throughout the season. Aljomaih Automotive, choosing to bat first, started well. However, none of the batsmen stayed for a big partnership. Most of them scored 25-30. Manzoor and Tanveer scored 36 each. Anzar Hussain and Falak claimed 3 wickets each to restrict Aljomaih to 224 in 38 overs. In reply, Pan Gulf Cricket Club as usually scored friskily and freely. Syed Bilal Ahmed began aggressively, scoring 38 off 18 balls with 8 boundaries and one six. Skipper Shabbir Hussain (57) played a responsible knock with Mannan (30) and Mujahid to steer the team ease past the target of 224 in the 37th over. Kashif Butt and Mohsin claimed two wickets each. Pak Saudi beat Al-Ghamdi Kanoo to be the second runner up of the Main League. Pak Saudi, batting first, scored 340-8 in 40 overs. Asif Hussain hit 116, Mohammed Suleiman 63, Shoaib 34 and Imran Arief 33. Raheel took 3-72, while Ather and Nadeem claimed two wickets each. Replying to the huge total, Al-Ghamdi Kanoo scored 334-9. Bilal Shabbir scored 99 along with Ahsan Mehboob (86) and Akhter Mehmood (47) but fell short by 6 runs. For Pak Saudi, Imran Arief claimed 3 for 60. Guided by two legends of EPCA — Tariq Tanveer and Riaz Saeed – a bustling Bilal Tigers won against Al-Sehan Karachi Strikers by 168 runs to be the runner-up in Pool A of First Division. Batting first, Bilal Tigers posted 298. Saadoon Atif (83), Arsalan Amin (63), Arsal Iqbal (40) and Tariq Tanvir (30) were the main contributors. Amir Sohail, Owais, Shahid and Qaisar claimed two wickets each. In reply, Al-Sehan Karachi was bundled out for 132 in 20 overs. Farrukh Jawed (43) and Khalid Farooqui (36) were the only batsmen who showed some resistance to the young spin attack of Bilal Tigers. Abdal Tanvir claimed 4-20 and Arsalan Amin 3-9. — SG
