RIYADH — The seventh round of matches in the Saudi ORIX T20 Cricket Tournament, organized by Riyadh Cricket Association (RCA) and sponsored by Saudi ORIX Leasing Company, saw thrilling centuries lift their sides to victories. In Al-Kharj Zone, KFSH Blues thrashed Pakistan Falcons by 202 runs. KFSH Blues, batting first, posted a huge total of 274-4, thanks mainly to Irshad Mubashir's 105 off 33 balls. Ayaz (59), Nadeem Babar (51) and Nasir Abbasi (28) were the other contributors. Pressure of chasing a huge total and a superb spell of bowling by Syed Usman (6-11) restricted Pakistan Falcons to a paltry 72. Jabbir took 2 wickets. Hamza (27) and Tila (22) were the only batsmen who showed some resistance. In a virtual quarterfinal, Falcons beat Shuraim by 10 runs to book their berth in the semifinals. Batting first, Falcons scored 182. Kamran made 32, Nadeem 29, Imran 25, Farrukh 24 and Siraj 21. Zeeshan and Arif bagged 3 wickets each. Shuraim was restricted to 172. Ali scored 42 and Inam 27. Saleem and Siraj picked up 3 wickets each, while Nadeem bagged 2. A brilliant century by Fayyaz helped Punjab Lions beat Amir Holidays by 30 runs. Lions piled up 213. Fayyaz hit 135 and Taj 22. Imran, Nadeem and Saeed claimed 2 wickets each. Amir Holidays could manage only 183-8. Kamran added 60 and Nadeem 38. Asad bagged 4 wickets and Asmat 2. Pak Shaheen thrashed Saudi Jaguars by 8 wickets. Saudi Jaguars scored 173. Abdul Wahab and Abdul Waheed picked up 3 wickets each. Pak Shaheen raced to the target in 10.2 overs thanks to a marvelous innings of 110 by Abdul Waheed. Abdul Wahab added 56. In Riyadh Zone, White Star Cricket Club downed Kashmir-XI by 86 runs. White Star posted 252. Irfan Sagar hit 123 and Mudassir 88. Waseem bagged 2 wickets. Kashmir-XI managed 166. Azhar added 46 and Shabbir 30. Javed scalped 2 wickets. Lahore Badshah Green beat Nouman Gymkhana by 6 wickets. Nouman Gymkhana was all out for 113. Zahideen clinched 5 wickets and Arman 2. Lahore Badshah Green achieved the target in 11.5 overs. Afzal hit 31. TBCC edged Challengers-XI by 32 runs. TBCC posted 175-5. Ashraf hit 37, Anish 35 and Salam 31. Challengers-XI scored 143, in reply. Anish picked up 3 wickets, while Salam, Cherian and Shamim bagged 2 each. — SG
