RIYADH — Youm Al-Watani Cup YWC-16 is in its peak with teams battling it out for knockout positions. In an ideal weather suited for the 40-over game the sixth week of the tournament ended with Sama Steel and Pak Shaheen almost making it into the next stage with wins and Lahore Lions getting their first win. Waheed cracking his third consecutive century in YWC-16 and Irfan Mushtaq getting back the pink cap for leading the runs tally, were the other highlights of week. In the 12th match of the tournament, Pak Shaheen crushed GK Stars by 10 wickets. GK Stars captain Asif Sheikh won the toss but lost opener Waqar in the very second over but Bilal Wani (65 — 45 ball, 4x9, 6x3), Abubaker (52 — 60, 4x6) and Nawaz (24) steadied the innings. The batsmen followed could not capitalize much but Ahsan (33) batted for some time. GK Stars were all out for 244 in 36.3 overs. Faisal Khan (4-23 in 8 overs) and captain Wahab (3-18 in 3.3 overs) packed the GK team before the lunch interval. Pak Shaheen openers started the innings before lunch. The run chase was completed in the post lunch period in 18.1 overs. Pak Shaheen openers reached 246 without loss for a thumping 10-wicket victory. Abdul Waheed (116 — 58, 4x19, 6x1) cracked third consecutive century of the tournament, whis partner Ibrar Ul Haq (119 — 51, 4x15, 6x5) got his first. Ibrar was selected as the Player of Match for his batting and fielding as he took 3 catches in the outfield. In the 13th match, Riyadh Aces were outclassed by Sama Steel which registered its third straight win and increased its chances of entry into the last-four stage. Electing to bat first, Riyadh Aces posted a formidable total of 305. Nadeem Shah (106 — 71, 4x18), Hassan Jived (78 n.o. — 60, 4x5, 6x1) and Saddam Khan (62 — 60, 4x8) were the main contributors. Kamran Hadi (2-42), Asif Khan (2-41) and Ramzan Butt (2-49) shared the wickets. Sama Steel lost early wickets of Asif Butt to a direct through from Asif for 6 and Ramzan Butt was removed by Nadeem Shah for 6. The other opener Kashif khan (57 — 38, 4x7, 6x1) and Raja Ejaz (39), Rizwan Manzoor (32), Asif Khan (36) and Farman (39) shared the batting honors. Kamran Hadi, who had taken 2 wickets earlier, now charged with the bat making 61 (49, 4x9) and helped Sama Steel cross 306 in 33.1 overs with three wickets remaining. In the 14th match, Lahore Lions got their first win in the tournament against CKK. Electing to bat, CKK posted a good score of 326-8 with Najeeb getting 109 (72 — 4x14, 6x2). Earlier, Imran (57 — 52, 4x9) and Ali (32) gave good opening to CKK. Nouman (22) and Asif (44) added some runs to take CKK to a defendable total. Mansoor (2-38) was the main bowler. Chasing the score, Lahore Lions lost opener Fahad for 2 runs, but Mansoor (65 — 50, 4x10) and Owais (141 n.o. — 90, 4x16, 6x2) neutralized the early loss with a big partnership. Captain Muzaffar's quick 66 (37, 4x11) and Qamar's 21 helped Lions reach the target comfortably. Imran (2-67) took two out of the three wickets to fall. Mohammed Owais was adjudged the Player of the Match for his match-winning century. Friday's matches (all at 7: a.m.): Amer Holidays vs. Pakistan Falcons (RCA ground 4), Lahore Lions vs. Riyadh Aces (ground 5) and Lahore Badshah vs GK Stars (ground 6).
