XI continued its unbeaten run in any form of cricket in Jeddah Cricket Association events when it outplayed ICC in the final by 174 runs to bag the JCA Premier League title here. It was Hijaz's 15th victory in as many matches in JCA tournaments. Sigma Paints Usfan-XI snatched a last-ball victory against the experienced Kanoo to earn third place. Despite a sand storm, Hijaz-XI, batting first, amassed 266-5 in the allotted 20 overs, with its star batsman Wahaj blasting 44 in 17 balls before he was clean bowled by left-arm spinner Faraz. The other opener Talha made a cool 32 and Ayaz 23. But No. 4 batsman Athar increased the tempo by hitting 89 off 42 balls in company of unbeaten Akram (43). Aslam (Guddu) was the most successful bowler with 2-20 while Irfan Qureshi, Faraz and Nadeem had one wicket each. ICC suffered a big blow as its main batsman Nadeem fell to a swinging delivery from Wahaj for a duck. Wahaj wreaked havoc by getting the other opener Aslam for just 8 and also skipper Irfan Qureshi. Wahaj's haul read 3-19. Left-arm spinner Faheem took 3-19, Akram 3-8 and Kamran 1-17. Zameer topscored with 31 while Pervez made 14 and Hafeez 10. The team slumped to 92 all out. Kanoo, batting first, made 228-6 in 20 overs against Sigma Paint Usfan-XI through Junaid 65, Najam 62, Sami Khan 59 and Waseem 10. Majid Bhatti, Tanveer, Irshad and Riaz took one wicket each. In reply the Sigma Paints reached the target (229-5) in the last ball of the match. Adnan hit 92, Irshad 67 not out, Kashif 15, Riaz Rana 15 not out and Majid 12. Junaid claimed 2-44 while Majid had 1-21. The prize distribution ceremony was graced by chief guest Mohammed Essa Bandakji, Initial Company's International Business Development Manager, Ghazi, Eng. Mohammed Afzal, GM, Initial Landscaping Co. Ltd., Jahangir Virk, Welfare Attaché Pakistan Consulate General Jeddah, Ashfaq Aleem Ahmed, GM ACE Travel, Mohammed Ali Jarrar, Regional Director for Sales ACE Travel, JCA Chairman Dr. Faiz Al-Abideen, Mohammed Ashraf Gulam Chowdry, GM, Al Harazi Est. and Syed Abdul Khadar Qasim, GM, Fatima Aqqad Est. Dr. Faiz Al-Abideen, who highlighted the JCA activities, thanked the JCA executive committee, volunteers, sponsors and media. Awards: Winner – Hijaz-Xi, runner-up – ICC, 3rd place – Sigma Paint Usfan-XI, Man of Final – Wahaj, batsman with maximum run – Wahaj 349 runs, batsmen with highest average – Athar and Wahaj of Hijaz-XI, Akmal of Sigma Paints, best batting performance in a match – Wahaj of Hijaz, 125 not out, highest number of wickets in tournament – Faheem of Hijaz, 15-162, bowlers with best average – Naveed and Faheem of Hijaz, Majid Sheikh of Kanoo, best bowling in a match – Irfan of ICC, 4-12, best all rounder – Majid Bhatti of Sigma Paints, 279 runs and 8-258, best all rounder in a match – Zameer of ICC 83 runs and 2-20, best partnership – Irfan and Hafeez of ICC, 133 against Desert Warrior, best wicketkeeper – Majid Siddiqui of Kanoo. In the semifinals, Hijaz-XI beat Kanoo by 4 wickets and ICC defeated Sigma Paint Osfan by 89 runs. Scores: Kanoo 147-6 (Rashid Khurshid 18, Najamuddin 50, Waseem 33, Saeed 2-38, Wahaj, Faheem and Akram one wicket each). Hijaz-XI 148-2 (Wahaj 42, Talha 23, Ayaz 42*, Athar 24*, Mateen 1-27). ICC 225-7 (Nadeem 34, Pervez 77, Aslam 30, Zameer 30, Sajid 12, Tanvir 2-32, Majid Bhatti and Riaz one wicket each). Sigma Paints Osfan 135 (Akmal 41, Arshad 16, Majid Bhatti 25, Riaz 11, Irfan Qureshi 4-12, Faraz and Shakeel 2 wickets each, Nadeem 1. __
