JEDDAH: The Deccan Knights Cricketers set up ALJ Cup final against Young Athletes after beating Sigma Paints and Butt Sports Club respectively in the division-II semifinals of the event, sponsored by Abdul Lateef Jamil Company (ALJ) and organized by Jeddah Cricket Association. The first semifinal saw Deccan Knights beat Sigma Paints by 59 runs Deccan Knights won the toss and elected to bat first. They piled up a huge total of 240-6 in the allotted 20 overs. Muhammad Umar Suwadi failed with the bat, but his partner Afroz managed to contribute 22 runs. Inayath hit 50 while hard-hitting all-rounder Sohail made a quick-fire 37. Najeeb could manage only 15, but Abu Jaber remained unbeaten on 72. Tabassum picked up 4-42, while Akbar took 2-47 for Sigma Paints. In reply Sigma Paints started well with the opener, Akbar, making a quick-fire 93. Others who contributed with the bat were Tabassum (18), Anees (12) and Qaisar (10). Sigma innings eventually folded at 181 in 14.5 overs. Inayath bagged 5-52 while Sohail picked up 4-32 and Syed Mohammad Afroz had figures of 1-50. The second semifinal saw Young Athletes hand Butt Sports Club an 83-run victory. Young Athletes batting first scored 234-7 in 20 overs. Sami made 56, Atta-Ur-Rehman 49, skipper Shad Mohammad 37, Iftekhar 27, Shaker 25 and Khalil 17. Zeeshan Jr. 3-47, Bakthiyar 2-18 and Javed Butt 2-28 were among the wickets for Butt Sports Club. Butt in reply could score only 151-9 in its allotted overs. Sameer made 38, Omar 25, Zeeshan 16, Abdul Rehman 14 and Junaid Butt 10 runs. Zakir picked up 2-14, Iftekhar 2-29, Sami 2-36, Shad Mohammad 1-9, Safdar 1-11 and Khalil 1
