JEDDAH — Debutant Awan Cricket Club, Naseem Al-Zahran, Pak Makkah, Pak Shaheen and ARM United triumphed in the opening week matches of the Jotun Paints Saudi Cup sponsored by Jotun Paints and organized by Jeddah Cricket Association 9JCA). This is the 8th consecutive year that Jotun Paints is sponsoring JCA tourney as part of its corporate social responsibility toward sports in general and cricket in particular. There are 22 teams participating in the second JCA Saudi Cup. Divided into 2 groups teams are playing on a round robin league basis, with top 8 teams entering the knockout. Debutant Awan CC thrashed Eirad Travel with Ali making 84 runs with 7 sixes and 5 fours. Naseem Al-Zahra beat Al-Zafer comfortably by 6 wickets, courtesy of fine all-round performance by Usman Niaz whose unbeaten 96 was studded with 6 fours and 4 sixes. He also claimed 3-37. Pak Makkah downed its city rival Makkah Kings by 32 runs, mainly due to Saqlain's all-round show of 47 runs and 2-14. Pak Shaheen edged out Pak Eagles by 48 runs with Faisal scoring a superb 75, supported by Ateeq who hit 53 and picked up 2-14. The lone century of the day came from Nazeer Ahmed of ARM United. He played a scintillating knock before retiring for 133 off 58 balls with 14 fours and 9 sixes. Scores: Awan Cricket Club beat Eirad Travels by 119 runs. Awan CC 232 (Ali 84, Ejaz 52, Amjad 30; Tariq 3-30, Abdullah 2-27). Eirad Travels 113 all out (Mohsin 38, Tariq 41; Inshallah 3-13). Naseem Al-Zahra beat Al-Zafer by 6 wickets. Al-Zafer 206 (Nahid 27, Israr 42, Aqeel 53, Tariq 20; Faisal 3-49, Usman 3-37). Naseem Al-Zahra 208-4 (Javed 23, Khalid 57, Usman Niaz 96 n.o.; Naheed 2-36). Pak Makkah beat Makkah Kings by 32 runs. Pak Makkah 176-8 (Anwar 42, Saqlain 47; Umair 2-44, Naeem 2-30, Abdul Raheem 2-24). Makkah Kings 144 (Salman 31, Naeem 21; Waleed 2-35, Hassan 2-24, Saqlain 2-14). ARM beat Riyadh Foods by 139 runs. ARM 274-3 (Nazeer 133, Majid 24 n.o., M. Qureshi 54, Shan 24 n.o.). Riyadh Foods 135 all out (Nabil 40, Ali 21; Shani 3-16). Pak Shaheen beat Pak Eagles by 48 runs. Pak Shaheen 232-6 (Faisal 75, Furqan 38, Ateeq 53; Malik Aijaz 2-48). Makkah Eagles 184 all out (Saad 32, Malik Aijaz 37, Abdullah 27; Zia 2-15, Junaid 2-18, Ateeq 2-14).
