JEDDAH — Munch Bakery and Peeran Warriors recorded victories over Old Students and Peeran XI by 9 wickets and 12 runs, respectively, in the first week matches of the Ace Travel Afternoon League, which is organized by Jeddah Cricket Association (JCA). This league consists of 7 teams. Each team will play the other in a double round-robin league format and the top four teams will qualify for the knockout semifinals. Munch Bakery team, a bunch of youngsters known for their discipline and fighting spirit, outclassed Old Students comfortably by 9 wickets. Old Students lost wickets in quick succession and were bundled out for a paltry 93 runs. Openers Javed and Asim managed 4 and 6 and were soon followed to the pavilion by Atif and Zeeshan who did not trouble the scorers. As the wickets were falling at regular intervals, Junaid stoutly stayed at the crease to score 32 off 40 deliveries with 2 sixes and 2 fours. The Munch Bakery bowlers did a good job as Rana Shahzad claimed 3 wickets for 16 runs, while Umar and Waleed took 2 wickets each for 15 and 7 runs, respectively. In reply, Munch Bakery made light work of its target and scored 94 runs in just 8 overs with Nabeel Chaudhary scoring an elegant and unbeaten 62 with 8 fours and 2 sixes. He was well supported by Zain Al-Salikeen (15) and Nabeel (17 not out) for a 9-wicket win. Peeran Warriors inflicted a narrow 12-run defeat on Peeran XI. The Warriors piled up 187 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in its allotted overs. Moin and Asim put up 110 runs for the first wicket partnership. Moin made 46 (5x4, 1x6), Asim 64 (7x4, 1x6), Majid 20 and Shakeel 22. Zaheer claimed 2 scalps for 15 runs, while Asim and Waleed got one wicket each for 20 and 25 runs. In reply, Peeran XI managed 175-6 with Fahad fighting a lonely battle with a superb knock of 103 runs. He treated all the bowlers with the same authority, hitting 9 fours and 6 sixes. Only Abdul Basith stayed with him for a while and scored 18 runs while all other batsmen succumbed to the tight bowling of Peeran Warriors who won by 12 runs and heaved a sigh of relief with their first victory in the new season.
