JEDDAH — Lothers Cricket Club emerged the 9th edition winners of Jotun Paints TCF Champions Trophy 2017 by beating Jotun Penguins by 51 runs in the final at the BMT ground here recently. The tournament, which was organized by Tellichery Cricket Forum (TCF) under the auspices of Saudi Cricket Centre (SCC), was sponsored by Jotun Paints, Holiday Inn Jeddah Gateway, Turkish Airlines, Bupa Ariabia, FSN, Al-Hokair Group, Futurelite, 3 Horses, Kool Design, Air India, FRiENDi Mobile, ITL World, Ali Reza Travel & Tours, Intercontinental Travel Co, Al-Rayan Int'l Polyclinic, Comfort Cooling Solutions, Sheera Bakes, Spark, Shifa Jeddah Polyclinic, EFS Logistics, Power and Shower Impact, Pepsi, McDonalds and Al-Shehri. Opting to bat first, Lothers put on a competitive total of 130-6 in 12 overs. Captain Abdul Wahid topscored with a fighting 28 from 19 balls. He was well supported by Mohammed Rizwi 27 (14) and Mozzam 27 (19). Jotun Penguins bowlers kept a tight line and length and did not allow Lothers batsmen to play freely. Ahmed Ali, Waqas Ahmed, Amjad and Bilal claimed one wicket each for Jotun. In reply, Jotun Penguins struggled against Lothers. Opening bowler Ifthikar Shamim bowled a deadly spell of 3-1-3-2 and controlled the match in Lothers' favor and claimed the prestigious Man-of-the-Final award. Israr Parvez scored 12 runs and Ramzan Ali 10 as Jotun was restricted to 79-9 in 12 overs. Mohammed Raza took 3 wickets, while Ifthikar and Sami Ullah claimed 2 each. The colorful final was packed with cricket lovers and graced by the presence of chief guest T.C. Mathew, BCCI vice president along with Nadeem Nadwi, CEO of SCC, and many prominent personalities like Faisal Karim (marketing manager, Jotun Paints), Muzakkir (product manager, Jotun Penguins), Mohammed Jarrah (director of sales, Holiday Inn Jeddah Gateway), Zeynel Sozen (regional sales manager, Turkish Airlines), Senthil Kumar (corporate sales manager, Turkish Airlines), Fraser Gregory (CSO, Bupa Arabia) and Martin Copus (dead of marketing, Abdul Latif Jameel Co). Chief guest Mathew and Faisal Karim presented the Champions Trophy to Lothers captain Abdul Wahid. The runner-up cup was awarded to Jotun captain Shabbir Ahmed by Jarrah and Sozen. Individual awards: Man of the Final — Ifthikar Shamim (Lothers Cricket Club); Player of the Tournament — Safayer (Kanoo Logistics); Best Batsman — Waqas Ali (Lothers Cricket Club); Best Bowler — Israr Baig (Pepsi Alliance); Fastest Century — Ramzan Ali (Jotun Penguins); Most Sixes in the Tournament — Waqas Ali (Lothers); Six Sixes in an over — Mohammedd Rizwi (Lothers); Best Bowling Spell with a hat trick) — Israr Baig (Pepsi Alliance); Best Wicketkeeper — Mohammed Siras (Kanoo Logistics); Best Fielder — Rashid Ali (Lothers); Best Catch — Kamran Asim (Friday Stallions). Kanoo Logistics was awarded the Bupa Spirit of the Game Trophy and the FSN Best Debut Team award went to McDonalds Cricket Club. Spectator Rasmir won the Predict and Win Contest and was awarded with an air ticket, sponsored by Turkish Airlines. Mohammed Shams earned another air ticket sponsored by Air India as lucky draw winner. Along with TCF trophies, there were plenty of gifts presented to players including air ticket to Europe and India for their meritorious performances. Closing ceremony started with the recitation of verses from Holy Qur'an by Zainal Abid and TCF President Shahanad Oliyat made the presidential speech. He expressed TCF's gratitude to chief guest Mathew, Nadwi, all the sponsors, playing teams, spectators and well wishers for making this event a grand success. Mathew appreciated the finalists and the TCF organizing team for organizing such a successful event within the limitations. He also offered possible support to Saudi cricket and TCF for the development of the game in Saudi Arabia. TCF Secretory Zafeel Backer proposed a vote of thanks. Ajmal Nazeer anchored the closing ceremony.
