Riyadh Cricket Association (RCA) whipped Eastern Province Cricket Association (EPCA) by winning three matches out of four in the annual inter-city matches to retain the Inter-City Shield. The tournament was sponsored by Al-Tuwariqi group and the matches were organized by EPCA. In the main event played on Friday Rizwan Qaiyoom and Eijaz Raja of RCA XI snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against EPCA XI. RCA XI won the toss but invited EPCA to take first strike. The decision was justified as EPCA lost two quick wickets for 43 runs, but Talal and Imran batted cautiously for a vital 120-run partnership. Talal made a fine 69 while Imran stroked 71. No. 9 Bilal struck some mighty blows to take the team to 317. For RCA, Wajed, Latafat and Muneer Rana took two wickets each. RCA XI, chasing a big total, started disastrously, losing its top four batsmen for 83 runs. But then Eijaz Raja and Rizwan Qaiyoom slowly repaired the damage and gradually took the match away from EPCA XI by producing a partnership of 180 runs. Both were unlucky to miss their tons. Raja made 92 while Qaiyoom remained unbeaten on 94 as he hit the winning runs. For EPCA XI, Munawar and Bilal took two wickets each. Rizwan Qaiyoom was declared the Man of the March. On Thursday three matches were played. In the first match RCA President XI defeated EPCA President XI by 5 wickets. Batting first EPCA President XI made a flying start. Zubair Zafar played aggressively to make 45 and Sadeq Rafeeq hit 36. But when Naser Abbassi was introduced into the attack he caused havoc with his swing and pace by grabbing 5 wickets. Qazafi and Nayeem Akbar took two wickets each. The lower order added 70 in a total of 240. RCA started its chase badly by losing Abbasi early. But opener Kashif Khan and Kamran started the recovery. Kamran made 60. Kashif Khan frustrated the EPCA bowlers with good support from Nayeem Akbar. They added 120 for the fourth wicket. Kashif was unlucky to miss his century (96). Nayeem Akbar remained unbeaten on 54. For EPCA, President XI Fahd, Afridi, Asim and Zubair took one wicket each. Kashif Khan was declared the Man of the Match. RCA Youth XI prevailed over EPCA Youth in the second match. RCA Youth made a fighting total of 192 in the allotted 25 overs. Obaidullah was the top scorer with 64, Abeyratne made 39 and Rizwan Manzoor hit 34. The EPCA youngsters got to a rollicking start through its openers Mohammed and Amer. At one stage, the EPCA was 100-3. But the RCA youngsters fought back. Rizwan Manzoor was instrumental for 3 run-outs and two catches. In the end the EPCA could make only 182. Rizwan Manzoor completed his all-round display by taking two wickets. He was declared the Man of the Match. EPCA Ex.Com XI routed RCA Ex.Com XI by 7 wickets. RCA veterans won the toss and chose to bat. They were off to a flying start as their openers put up 42 runs in only 4 overs. But with the advent of spin the run rate slowed down. However they tallied 172 in 20 overs. Asif Baazi played a sparkling knock of 42 while Mansoor Ahmed made 28. For EPCA Farhat bowled well to take 5 wickets. EPCA reached the target easily. __
