Pakistan Journalists Forum and Jeddah Cricket Association (JCA) Excom teams. JEDDAH: A friendly cricket match between the Pakistan Journalists Forum (PJF) and the Jeddah Cricket Association (JCA) Excom ended in a stalemate here in Jeddah at the JCA ground in Usfan, south of Jeddah. Aijaz Khan, vice president of JCA, abandoned the match due to bad light and declared it a tied match. Put into bat, the PJF team scored 173 from 18 overs with the loss of 9 wickets. Yahya Ashfaq opened the balance sheet for PJF and kept the bowlers at his will. He hit many boundaries in the process and gradually increased the tally and remained the top scorer with his individual score of 34 runs. After his departure, Zeshan Anwar came in and started punishing the bowlers. With his sensible approach he lifted the tally by scoring 32. Shahim-ul-Haq, a seasoned cricketer, once again mesmerized the spectators when he let his bat talking. He scored a marvelous 26 playing beautiful shots all over the field. Relying on the old horses, the JCA bowlers including Muzzafar Hussain, Zahid, Javed Butt and Zuhair, bowled extremely well and contained their opponents for an easy target. Muzzafar took two wickets while rest of the bowlers got the wicket each for their sides. However, in their chase, the JCA failed to live up to the expectations of many and the game ended in a tie. Aleem was the top scorer with his brilliant batting skills. He played a fine innings that added 63 runs to the total. He could have scored more had he not been called for replacement. Naeemullah added 29 valuable runs. Aijaz Khan, a.k.a. the Kapil Dev of Jeddah and a sports enthusiast, delivered in time and scored a quickfire 20 runs. Despite his long absence from the ground, Shahim-ul-Haq, the experienced spinner spun the web against the JCA's batsmen with his golden arm as he demolished the JCA's batting castle by taking three precious wickets for just 19 runs. Jehangir Khan, the man to be watched, equally played his role in helping PJF snatching the draw. He uprooted three wickets on 32 runs. Ameer Mohammed Khan also shone with the ball as he got one wicket. Both the teams showed their skills as both sides had plenty of stalwarts of the olden days. All-rounder Shamim-ul-Haq and the opener Yahya Ashfaq from PJF lifted the joint men-of-the-match cup. At the prize distribution ceremony, Choudhary Iqbal, president of JCA, expressed his happiness over the results and performance from both the teams. Iqbal said: “PJF has always been at the forefront off the ground, but today they also proved their worth on the ground.” He urged them to engage in sporting activities and assured PJF of JCA's full support for the cause of sports especially in the field of cricket. Ameer Mohammed Khan, Chairman PJF, thanked JCA for hosting such a wonderful and exciting event. He said such activities could help in bringing community people closer. Shahid Naeem, President PJF, and Jameel Rathore, General Secretary, appreciated the sportsmen spirit of both teams during the match. The match was witnessed by a huge gathering. Separate arrangements were made for the families.
