RIYADH — Defending champion Syed's Najd Najams became the first team to make the quarterfinals of the third Youm Al-Watani Cup, organized by GK international Sports, here recently. YWC 2015 is the first tournament supported by Saudi cricket Centre under the newly-formed Saudi Federation for Softball Cricket. Mazaya Arab Royals defeated Friendi Jubail Jaguars by 61 runs for its third win. Batting first, Mazaya scored 173-8 with Waseem making 41 (4x2, 6x3), Naseer 25 and Shoeb 23. Ali scalped 4-40 and Shakib 2-35. Player-of-the-Match Zaki claimed 4-16 and Muzamil 3-42 to bundle out Jubail for 112-9. Shakeel hit 48 (4x1, 6x5) and Azhar 15. Delta Najran Jewels earned a much-needed win to keep its quarters hopes alive beating Saudi DM Hail Heroes by 6 wickets. Put into bat Heroes was restricted to 106-9 by Najran bowlers Zubair (4-33), Rizwan (2-18) and Waqar (2-24). Yasin notched 34 (4x3, 6x1). Delta chased down the target (107) for the loss of 4 wickets in 9.4 overs with Salman making 29 (4x3, 6x1) and Saleem 22. Khurram bagged 3-21. Zubair was adjudged the Player of the Match. Danish of Shams Abha Avians single handedly demolished GK Gizan Gladiators. Opting to take the strike first, Shams put on 215-4 in its quota of 16 overs. Danish smashed an unbeaten 109 (52 balls – 12x4, 6x5) and Raoof adding 44 (4x3, 6x4). Mubashir took 2-55 for Gizan. Danish then took two great catches besides snaring 4-27 along with Meraj 2-42. The two restricted GK Gizan to 146-8 for a 69-run victory. Mubashir hit 36 and Praveen 21 for Gizan. Danish earned the Player of the Match honors and the Star of the Day award along with gift vouchers from Friendie Group. AR Sports Dammam Fighters handed Interactive Jeddah Jockeys a 73-run thrashing. Put into bat, Dammam fighters made 180-6 with Saeed smashing 122 (49 – 4x7, 6x10). Ibrahim scalped 3-22 along with Baseer 2-28 for Jeddah. AR Fighters bundled Jeddah Jockeys out for 107 in 15 overs. Rahman scored 33 and Ibrahim 38. Saeed took 2-21 and also earned the Player of the Match award. Mir Saudi Stallions posted a 99-run win over Abad Yanbu Warriors. Electing to bat first, Mirs Saudi Stallions scored 205-9 with Ahmed scoring 57 and Siddiq 43. Shahzad (3-43) and Sageer (3-57) were among the wickets. Siddiq took 4-23 along with Ahmed (2-18) as Abad Yanbu Warriors was bundled out for 106 in 13.4 overs. Iqbal made 41 for loser. Syed's Najd Najams defeated Oubler Riyadh Ryders by 76 runs. Electing to bat, Najd scored 224-7 with Aamer (75) and Munna (67) scoring the bulk of runs. Azhar and Amir claimed 2 wickets each. Oubler Riyadh Ryders was restricted to 148-6 with Adnan notching 48 and Waseem 37. Amir scalped 2-37 and Saleem 3-18. Amir was named the Player of the Match. Dream India Saudi Gems lost the first match of its campaign to HS Khobar Knights by 9 wickets. Dream India struggled against fine spell of Rajeev (5-24) and was all out for 88 in 11.4 overs. Imran resisted with 36. HS Khobar knights knocked off the runs for the loss of one wicket. Deepu smashed 67 (4x4, 6x7). Rajeev got the Player of the Match award. Mashal Taif Tigers kept its quarters chances alive with a 6-wicket win over Alga Tabuk Titans. Alga posted 132-8 with Sameer making 30 and Razi 27 not out. Shiraz, Hussain, Asim and Satish shared 8 wickets among them. Aftab hit 35, Mohsin 29 and Hussain 31 to score 138-4 in 11.2 overs. Masoom bowled well (4-29). Hussain was named the Player of the Match.
