With the super-32 knockout stage coming to an end, a few favorite teams dropped out as 16 teams advanced to the pre-quarterfinals stage of Jeddah Champions Trophy (JCT) here. Kingdom CC, one of the in-form teams expected to make it to the quarters, failed to live up to the expectations as it lost to a charged up Prime XI by 5 wickets, bringing an end to their campaign. Batting first, Kingdom lost wickets at regular intervals to be bowled out for a paltry 77 with Sulaiman picking up 3 wickets for 13 runs. In reply, Prime XI reached the target with 2 overs to spare as Man of the Match Faizuddin scored 20 off 17 balls to guide his team home. Reliance made light work of Gulbarga to advance. Taking the strike first, Reliance posted 138 in 15 overs with Man-of-the-Match Ilyas racking up 75 off 48 balls. In reply, Gulbarga never recovered from the early jolts and its innings folded for 71 to hand Reliance an easy win. In other matches, KSA Green rode on another top batting performance from Zaki who scored 35 off 16 balls to post 107 runs against Elite. Elite, in reply, fell short by 10 runs even as Fareed scored 30 off 13 balls. Tournament organizers' team Azizia Deccan displayed a superb bowling performance to bundle out Bhatkal CA for a mere 61. Bhatkal failed to make early inroads as Azizia Deccan openers – Ishaq and Mohsin – put on 31 runs for the first wicket. A mini collapse saw it reduced to 52-5. But Man-of-the-Match Ishaq remained not out on 29 to make sure it reached the target with no further hiccups. The teams which have qualified for the pre-quarterfinals round are: 1. KSA Green, 2. Azizia Deccan, 3. Reliance CT, 4. KSA Red, 5. Jeddah Gladiators, 6. Jeddah Warriors Club, 7. Mangalore Friends, 8. Kokan XI, 9. Arabian XI, 10. Yorkshire, 11. Nazar Guys, 12. Coastal Gladiators, 13. Khind Cricket Club, 14. Gulf West, 15. IOE and 16. Prime XI. The tournament is being organized by team Azizia Deccan in association with Saudi Cricket Center and the title is sponsored by Al-Miawiah, powerd by Al-Salem York and co-sponsored by Aqualite, Clas, G21 Optics and Intalaka Group. Brief scores: Reliance CT 138-6 in 15 overs (Ilyas 75 not out; Mujahid 2-20) beat Gulbarga CT 71-8 in 15 overs (Saddiq 16, Farhan 2-6). Man of the Match – Ilyas. Gulf West 126-8 in 15 overs (Dinesh 44 not out; Khalid 3-24) beat Barkatiya XI 63-10 in 13.2 overs (Imroz 13; Mujeeb 3-13). Man of the Match – Dinesh. Hyderabad Strikers 83-10 in 15 overs (Baleequddin 16; Azam Khan 2-6) lost to KSA Red 85-4 in 8.3 overs (Abdul Jaleel 23; Shakir 2-9). Man of the Match – Abdul Jaleel. Khind CC 133-7 in 15 overs (Javeed 36; Hassan 4-23) beat Archirodon Lions 81-10 in 12 overs (Navaj 33; Wahajuddin 3-9). Man of the Match – Wahajuddin. Kingdom CC 77-10 in 14.3 overs (Sibgatullah 20; Sulaiman 3-13) lost to Prime XI 80-5 in 13.1 overs (Faiz 20; Hurais 2-11). Man of the Match – Faizuddin. KSA Green 107-5 in 15 overs (Zaki 35; Imtiyaz 3-16) beat Elite CC 97-4 in 15 overs (Fareed 30; Rehan 2-3). Man of the Match – Rehan. Bhatkal CA Jeddah 61-10 in 12.3 overs (Jawwad 17; Naushad 2-7) lost to Azizia Deccan 62-5 in 11 Overs (Ishaq 29 not out, Arfath 2-10). Man of the Match – Ishaq Mohammed Khan. Azizia Deccan Avengers 80-10 in 15 overs (Rabbani 27; Tabraiz 4-6) lost to IOE Cricketers 83-7 in 11 overs (Jaleel 27; Layeeq 3-8). Man of the Match – Tabraiz.
