Dr. Sayed Ziauddin JEDDAH — My Care Hala (MCH) downed Dopco Stars by 6 wickets to claim the WPCA Premier MoneyGram crown here last Friday. The second phase of the tournament will kick off with a match between My Care Hala Green and Al-Safri-XI with the winner playing the Premier Champion MCH in a grand final. The winner will represent WPCA at the National Championship to be staged in Yanbu. The tournament is sponsored by MoneyGram and staged by WPCA under the aegis of Saudi Cricket Centre (SCC). In the final, Dopco Stars, opting to bat first, compiled 173 for 8. Shahbaz made 61 in 38 balls with 4 sixes and 7 fours, while Nadeem played an attacking innings of 36 off 18 balls with 2 sixes and 5 fours. The two added 74 for the first wicket in 44 balls, but the middle order collapsed miserably as the side was reduced to 122-6 — losing 5 wickets for 16 runs. Afaq remained unbeaten on 25 and Asim's 18 took the tally to 173. Tariq Mahmood grabbed 4-25, Adnan 2-48, while Faheem and Hussain Bhatti picked up a wicket each. My Care Hala, in reply, lost Qamar Abbas (19) early, but Moazzam Shoukat top-scored with 60 off 44 balls studded with 2 sixes and 3 fours. He added 100 off 64 balls for the second wicket with Kashif Shafeeq (52 with 6 fours and a six) to reach the target of 176 for the loss of 4 wickets with an over to spare. Amjed remained unbeaten on 15 and Babar added 11. Ajmal Khan had 2-27, while Waheed and Sohaib bagged 1 wicket each. Moazzam Shoukat was named the Man-of-the-Match. Khalil Kazi and Arshad Chohan officiated the match, while Sohail Shah was the match referee. The prize distribution ceremony took place after the match. It was graced by Zulfikhar Choudhry, President of WPCA; Nadeem Nadwi, CEO of SCC, along with WPCA and SCC officials. Man-of-the-Tournament award was picked up by Mazher Abbasi of Al-Saudi XI, Shahbaz Rasheed of Dopco Stars was Best Batsman and Sohaib Ali was adjudged Best Bowler. Umpires and scorers were also given the service awards. Special prizes were awarded to WPCA committee members for their tireless efforts in making the tournament a grand success.
