WPCA Green and WPCA Yellow cornered glory by winning the trophies in the exhibition cricket matches which were conducted by Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) to celebrate the Saudi National Day and the India-Pakistan Independence days at the at the Eskan Grounds here. Nadeem Nadwi, CEO of Saudi Cricket Center (SCC), WPCA Vice President Zulfikhar Choudhry and WPCA executive committee members attended the matches. The match at Ground # 4 was between WPCA White and WPCA Yellow for the coveted Saudi National Day Trophy whereas the encounter at Ground # 1 between WPCA Blues and WPCA Green was for Indo-Pak Independence Cup. Kashif Shafeeq, captaining Whites, elected to bat first. The team suffered a big knock with Khalid Butt returning early. But Abdullah Essa made 31 to put on 76 for the second wicket with skipper Kashif, who plundered 68 in 38 balls. Down the order Hussain Bhatti smashed an unbeaten 49 in 24 balls along with Qazzafi who hit 25 to get to 199 in 18 0vers. Bilal took 2-33. Yellow in response was off to a fine start as skipper Shafeeq stroked 45 and Shoaib Ali made 23 to put up 62 in just 4 overs. Later Nadeem scored 31 and Man of the Match Babar blasted 56 in just 26 balls to take the tally to 176 by the 14th over and finally winning at 200 for 5 with 9 balls to spare. Anwaar took 2-34 and Kashif 2-42. In the Indo-Pak Independence Cup match, opting to bat first WPCA Blues put up 154 for 7 through Saleem 41, Usama 19 and Rayyan 26. Usman took 2 for 3 in one over. In reply, WPCA Green was home at 158 for 7 in the penultimate over as Man of the Match Pervaiz plundered a 26-ball 50, Shahnawaz made 28 and Shafeeq hit a quickfire 32. Kaleem dazzled by grabbing 4 for 22 and Rasheed got 2-30. In the brief awards ceremony Nadeem Nadwi presented the Indo Pak Independence Cup to the Green skipper Nadeem Shabbir and Man of the Match award to Pervaiz and Zulfikhar Choudhry handed over the Saudi National Day Trophy to Yellow skipper Shafeeq Ahmed and Man of the match prize to Babar.
