RIYADH — Pakistan International School Riyadh Nasriya (PISR-N) clinched the U-19 trophy, while the International Indian School Riyadh (IISR) bagged the U-16 cup at RCL Inter-School Cricket Tournament here recently. The eight-week tournament concluded with exciting finals witnessed by a huge crowd along with guests such as Saudi Cricket Centre (SCC) officials Sadiqul Islam and Rahat Ali Chaudhry; Mamoor Elahi, president of RCL; Dr. Miro Kovacik, CCO KFB Holding Group; principals of PISR, IISR and other schools. The tournament was played under the auspices of Saudi Cricket Centre. PISR-N downed Royal Academy of Cricket (RAC) Combined Schools-XI by 34 runs to pocket the U-19 championship crown. PISR-N put on 226 with Faisal Khan scoring a splendid century (122) with 18 boundaries and 5 sixes. Yasir contributed 36 and Umer 35. Ali took 2 wickets. In reply, RAC could make only 192. Hilal hit 54, Saad 32 and Talal 37. Faisal claimed 5 wickets, while Omer took 3. Man of the Match: Faisal Khan. IISR beat PISR-N in their thrilling U-16 final following a ball out. Batting first, IISR made 164. Aakefin smashed 66, Sharif 18, Mukul 24 and Saud 19. Waleed, Shahzad and Haider took 2 wickets each. In reply, PISR-N tried its best to win the match but managed only to tie it. Haseeb blasted 65, Abdullah 40 and Waleed 30. Safwan claimed 3 wickets, while Mukul, Saud and Aamir took 1 each. IISR posted 9 in the super over. PISR-N also made 9 tying the match once again. The match was thus decided on ball outs, where IISR won the match 1-0 to lift the crown. Man of the Match: Aakefin. The prize distribution ceremony, conducted by Asif Shaikh, took place at the RCL Cricket Complex at Al-Kharj Road after the matches. Sadiqul Islam thanked RCL for conducting the tournament and presented the SCC plan to develop cricket among the youth in the Central Region. Razaur Rahman, RCL senior advisor, thanked SCC for supporting the league and appreciated the SCC management, including its CEO Nadeem Nadwi, for helping develop cricket in the Kingdom. While IISR picked up the U-16 trophy, the runner-up cup was claimed by PISR-N, the third spot was cliched by RAC Combined Schools-XI and the fourth by PISR Sulamaniya. Special prizes were handed to top players. AR Sports also presented valuable cricket gears to star players. In the U-19 Category Best Batsman trophy was given to Hamza of PISR Sulamaniya, Best Bowler prize was presented to Omer of PISR-N, while Player of the Tournament award was given to Faisal Khan of PIS-N. In the U-16 Category Best Batsman prize was handed over to Akfein of IISR, Best Bowler prize to Zavair of RAC Combined Schools-XI and Player of the Tournament award to Mukul of IISR. — SG
