Pan Gulf won the Premier Division title while KLV Khodari Khans XI bagged the First Division Cup in SCC Premier Cup sponsored by Saudi Cricket Center (SCC) organized by EPCA here. Spectators and well-wishers saw some excellent batting and bowling performances during the tournament. The highlights were 28-ball century by Manu Vijiyan, 198 by Renjith Nair, and hat tricks by Khateeb and Ilyas. Team Eastern Arabia scored more than 300 runs in 20 overs twice. EPCA President Farhat thanked the SCC CEO Nadeem Nadwi for sponsoring the tournament and appreciated the clubs for their active participation. He also thanked the umpires for their dedication and support besides showing gratitude to Ashfaq of Tamimi for sponsoring lunches. He also announced that a day-long six-over tournament that will be conducted to remember the late Shakeel Turk. SCPCO, electing to bat first, lost experienced campaigners Riaz and Mohsin cheaply. It was left to the dependable Umair to guide his team to safety. However, Pan Gulf fielders did not allow SCPCO to score freely. All batsmen chipped in as Umair scored 37, Shahzad 35 and Iftikhar 28 to help their team post a fighting score of 167-5 in 20 overs. Imran Chaudhary claimed 2-23. Pan Gulf lost one of its openers cheaply, but the second wicket partnership between Saad Khan (43) and Wasim (72 not out) was too good for SCPCO to contain. Imran Moiz added 35 to take the team past the target (170-3) and win by 7 with two overs to spare. SCPCO used 8 bowlers. In the First Division final, KLV Khodari Khans XI outplayed Eastern Arabia. Batting first, Eastern Arabia scored 167-9 in 20 overs. Its captain Imran Rasheed was the lone batsman, who scored run-a-ball 31. None of the other big guns managed to fire for Eastern Arabia. Sajid remained unbeaten on 24 and Ilyas hit 17 off 8 balls. Ilyas, who had claimed a hat trick in the quarterfinals, bagged 4 wickets. Replying to the target Murad played some swashbuckling strokes to remain unbeaten on 94. Yahya added 26 as they helped KLV to 170-4 in 17 overs and beat Eastern Arabia by 6 wickets. Parviz scalped 2 wickets.
