JEDDAH — Teams from all four regions tasted victories in the two-day Jotun Inter-Region Quadrangular Cricket Series, organized and hosted by Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) here. In the 35-over match, EPCA President XI defeated WPCA Chairman XI by 3 wickets. In the other T20 matches, YACA President XI beat WPCA President XI by 8 wickets, WPCA Executive Committee XI went down to MCL by 30 runs and in the last match of the series, WPCA XI prevailed over EPCA XI by 20 runs. The series, sponsored by Jotun Paints and organized by WPCA, was played under the auspices of Saudi Cricket Centre (SCC). The prize distribution was held at Salt n Pepper Restaurant, attended by prominent dignitaries along with WPCA and SCC officials and media persons. Nadeem Nadwi, CEO of SCC spoke about the past achievements, future tournaments, programs at the international stage, progress in umpiring, coaching and other activities. Awards for the SCC Under-17 School Tournament, Inter-Region Quadrangular 2017 and SCC Challenge Cup 2016-17 were distributed. Certificates were also issued to successful umpires and coaches. Nishad Arackal, representing Lothers, gave away the Umpire Kits to the WPCA panel of umpires. Advocate Taha Khoseifan and Engineer Gaith Khoseifan presided over the ceremony. In the main 35-over match, WPCA Chairman XI was bowled out for 179. Humayun Khan compiled 20 and Hasanat Ahmed 23. Shahbaz Rasheed hit 35 and added 41 with Mazhar Abbasi 17. Faiq Habeeb made 16 and Irfan Shah 15. Shoaib Ali belted a quickfire 30. Imran grabbed 3-33. EPCA President won the match in 32 overs, making 181-7. Imran smashed 49. He first added 29 with Kashif (12) and then 28 with Saad Khan (2). Waseem top scored with 61 in 67 balls with 5 fours. He added 49 with Afaque Ahmed (28). Qaiser claimed 4-34. Man of the Match — Waseem. Match officials: Rahat and Waseeq Sherwani (umpires) and Nadeem Shabbir (referee). In the second match, WPCA President XI posted 175-6. Nasir Abbasi compiled 58 in 33 balls with 4 sixes and 5 fours. He first added 37 with Khurram Karamat (2) and then 43 with Imran Sarwar (32). Shahnawaz Khan stroked 25, Aftab Malik 22 and Imran Qaiser 15. Usman Mehar took 2-17 and Sarfaraz 2-31. YACA President XI reached 176-2 in 103 balls. Man-of-the-Match Shoaib Azeez hammered 74 in 34 balls with 5 sixes and 8 fours. He added 114 in 62 balls with Nadeem Javaid who retired hurt for 50 and then produced 52 with Inayat Saeed (36). Shareefuddin and Saeed Ahmed were the umpires and Hasnain Ali the referee. In the last match on Friday, MCL XI racked up 219-6. Adnan hit 41. He added 65 with Musawwar (29). Wajhi slammed an unbeaten 63 in 36 balls, Iqbal hit 20 and Kashif an unbeaten 19. Abbas Saad claimed 3-28. WPCA Executive Committee XI was stranded at 189-8. Shahid Sattar made 19. Faisal Patel smashed 52 in 29 balls with 7 fours and a six. He added 71 with Rana Haroon who made 49 to get to 113-6 from 42 for 5. Abdullah Zahid remained unbeaten on 25. Kashif Mirza and Imran Mirza were the umpires and Imran the referee. On Saturday, WPCA XI piled up 166-8. Humayun Khan scored 46, Gulam Mustafa hit 30 and Shoaib Ali remained unbeaten on 37. Bilal scalped 3-32 and Raheel 2-32. EPCA XI, in reply, was bowled out for 146. Imran Arif made 40, Saad Khan 26 and Afaaque Ahmed 27. Shahbaz Rasheed grabbed 3-19, Shoaib Ali 3-25 and Amjad Jutt 3-39. The match officials were: Rahat Ali and Saeed Ahmed (umpires) and Kashif Mirza (referee).
