DAMMAM — Al-Ghamdi, Pan Gulf, Naqi Strikers and SCPCO qualified for the semifinals in the Premier Division, while EMC Strikers, Eastern Arabia, KLV Khodari Khans XI, Tamimi, BDYCC, Team SSQ, Friends XI and Emerald Ashes made it into the quarterfinals in the First Division of the SCC Premier Cup, sponsored by Saudi Cricket Centre (SCC) and managed by EPCA. Aftab Magray continued his form by scoring an unbeaten 117 in 62 balls against SAQ Hunters to help Naqi Strikers post 215-2 in 20 overs. Once again Hozaif Tariq, playing the second fiddle, scored 53. SAQ Hunters were bundled out for 96. Tousef Tariq was the pick of the bowlers claiming 3-9 and Syed Abbas took 3-15. Unbeaten Al-Ghamdi beat Marooj Rawan by 29 runs. Al-Ghamdi, batting first, made 225-6. Thanks to young Zeyad Afridi who made 78 off 34 balls. Zeeshan Butt hit 48. Marooj Rawan was bundled out for 196 in 19 overs. Ajmal made 37 and Usman 35. Arsalan took 3-58. In an exciting match in Group B SKFCC beat SCPCO but could not qualify due to lesser run rate. SCPCO initially lost wickets due to excellent spin bowling by Asif Mughal, Abulhasan and Faraz. But later stabilized by some good batting by Mohsin (37), Umair (35), Falak (54) and helped SCPCO tally 180-9. Abulhasan claimed 3-35, Asif Mughal 2-28 and Irfan 2-7. SKFCC needing to win in 15 overs could make it only in the 19th over — 181-6 in 19 overs. Faraz stroked 45, Wasim Malik 28 not out, while Kashaan and Imran made 24 each. Mohsin took 2-33 and Riaz 2-41. In another match, Pan Gulf came on top against AGE Dolphins. AGE Dolphins made 190-6 through Zuhair (72) and Waqas (56). Muqeem took 2-29. Chasing the target Pan Gulf lost openers quickly but experienced Mohsin Shabbir's unbeaten 67 off 36 balls and Shabbir Hussain's 65 off 33 balls lifted Pan Gulf to 192-4 in 18 overs. Shiraz Farooqui took 2-32. In the First Division, EMC Strikers beat Gulf CC by 40 runs. EMC posted 223-7, helped by Ijaz (48) and Arsalan (38). Mohammed Naseer took 2-32. Irfan Afzal fought a lone battle by scoring a magnificent 82 off 43 balls. Gulf CC fell short of 40 runs — 183-7. Kawish Qazi took 3-30. A Scintillating unbeaten knock of 145 from Nabil Butt and 124 from Saeed powered Team SSQ to 300 for no loss in 18 overs. It recorded a 241-run victory over Snamprogetti. Snamprogetti bowlers had no clue. Team SSQ bundled out Snamprogetti for 59 in 8 overs. Imran Noor (3-32) and Saleem Nisar (3-22) were among the wickets. Bin Delamah Yorkers or Pasha XI needed a victory to qualifyand the former emerged winner. BDYC posted 205. Renjith scored 45, Mir Asif 40, Bharat 31 and Karemuddin 25. Naveed, Abid, Adnan, Amir and Ansar chipped in with two wickets each. Pasha XI could manage only 166-4. Hassan Riaz hit 43, Adnan 42 and Naveed 31 not out. The other must win match was the decider between KLV Khodari Khan XI and Kashmir XI that saw KLV Khodhari Khan qualify. Kashmir XI managed 169-6 with Asif contributing 44 and Khalid 38. Ilyas took 3-28. In reply, Nadeem remained unbeaten on 53 and Safiullah made 40. They made 171-3 in 17 overs. Other results: Tamimi overcame Khobar Blaster easily. Khobar Blaster 155-7 (Shamnad 32, Kahbul 32; Tamimi Aqeel 2 wickets). Tamimi 157-4 in 13 overs (Aqeel Azad 50, Umer 51 not out; Mukkaram Uddin 3-25). Unbeaten Eastern Arabia defeated Royal Kashmir by 9 wickets. Royal Kashmir 123-6 (Asif Maqbool 55, Shahnawaz 30; Naushad and Shijil 2 wickets each). Eastern Arabia 128-1 in just 9 overs (Surjit Hardiyal 79 in 29 balls). Pak Shaheen lost to Khobar United. Khobar United 201-6 (Anis 57, Bilal 54). Pak Shaheen 199-2 (Asad Abbas 108 in 60 balls; Waqas and Wasim 2 wickets each). Al-Bawardi lost to Saipem. Saipem 197-8 (Babar Aslam 54, Sarwar 37, Abdulrahman 36; Shiyad 4 wickets). Al-Bawardi 200-6 in 18.2 overs (Shoaib 54, Basheer Irshad 47 not out, Sadique 45; Akthar Mohammed 3-33).
