Eastern Province Cricket Association (EPCA) has started its new cricketing season of 2008-09 with 17 teams. The teams are: Khalifa A. Al-Gosaibi CC, ADPCO CC, Amaco Cricketers, DATE CC, Al-Majdouie CC, Saudi Readymix CC, Kashmir XI, Saudia Suzuki CC, Royal Kashmir XI, Al-Khobar XI, IIS Dammam CC, Blue Stars, Sialkot XI, Strikers XI, Asia XI, Shaheen Sports CC and Natest CC. EPCA will be organizing five tournaments, international tour, inter-city matches and inter-school tournaments for U-17 and U-15. The first tournament which is sponsored by SCC, was off to a fine start on last Friday. It is a Twenty20 Round Robin League Tournament. Teams are divided into two Groups, A and B. Going by tradition, EPCA organized an exhibition match between EPCA President XI and Vice President XI on Oct. 12 at Khalifa A. Al-Gosaibi Ground. Vice President XI skipper Sunil won the toss and elected to bat first. The team scored 159 runs in the allotted 18 overs. Syed Bilal and Khalid opened the innings and Khalid was first to go after scoring 19 runs, caught behind off Abdul Hameed. The other opener was retired hurt on 35. Soharab made 30 and Abdul Karim 22. Kashif bowled well to claim two wickets. Chasing a moderate target of 160, President XI was all out for 153 and lost by 6 runs. Kashif and Feroz opened the innings and Feroz fell after scoring a quickfire 19 (4 fours) in just ten balls. Mohsin was also smartly caught by Soharab on his own bowling. Sohrab struck again and got the valuable wicket of Kashif. A well-set Kashif had made 39 with four hits to the fence and two sixes. When the score was 86-6, wicketkeeper Azeem took charge and played superbly to remain unbeaten on 50. But sadly wickets fell at the end at regular intervals. Soharab claimed three wickets for just 22 runs. Zahid, Abdul Karim and Imtiaz chipped in with one wicket each. __
