RIYADH — The league stage of the third Youm Al-Watani Cup produced many upsets as 2013 champion Mazaya Arab Royals and tournament favorite Shams Abha Avians failed to qualify for the knockout stage. Mir's Saudi Stallion and Dream India Saudi Gems topped their groups and Syed's Najd Najam slipped to third place in Group A. On the final day of the preliminary league matches a "Diabetic Awareness Camp" was conducted by Abad Specialized Clinics at the ground with the support of GK International Indian Sports Club and NRI Forum Riyadh. Players, umpires and number of spectators utilized the facility. This camp was the concluding session of the diabetic awareness drive started by Saudi Cricket Centre (SCC) in Jeddah. In the first big upset of the day Mazaya lost to Alga Tabuk Titans. Opting to bat first, Mazaya was skittled out for 89 in 13.2 overs. Fine bowling by Masoom (2-14), Amjad (2-15) and player-of-the-match Mohammed Sami (3-18 in 3.2 overs) unsettled the batting lineup of Mazaya. Only Sallauddin (29) got some runs. Alga needed a win within 9 overs to enter the knockout stage on net run rate and it reached 90-5 in 8.5 overs. Hashim (30) and Sameeruddin (23) helped Alga with the bat. Fazil (2-19) and Azam (2-43) could not stop Alga reaching the quarterfinals. Sami was adjudged the Player of the Match. Player-of-the-Match Syed Naqeeb made a patient unbeaten 51 with Khurram (36). This opening partnership helped Mir's Saudi Stallions score 143-3 in 14.2 overs and record a 7-wicket win against Syed's Najd Najams. This loss pushed the Najd team to third place in the group from the top spot. Electing to bat first, Najd made only 141 with Amir (53) and Himayath (37) getting the runs for defending champion. Siddiqi (4-30) and Riyaz (2-36) bowled well for Mir's. This win helped Mir's jump to the top. Saudi DM Hail Heroes scored 115 in 14.2 overs against GK Gizan Gladiators. Electing to bat first, Hail batsmen failed to impress. Only Basith (39) got some runs. Jameel (3-20) and Pradeep Prakash (2-29) troubled the Hail batsmen. Gizan reached 116-3 in 11.4 overs with Pradeep (46) and Fareed (22) batting nicely. Pradeep won the Player of the Match award. HS Khobar Knights pulled off another fine performance by thrashing AR Sports Dammam Fighter by 41 runs. Both the teams have already made the quarterfinals. Put into bat, Khobar posted 211-8 with last 6 overs producing the bulk of the score. Deepu (34), Bipin (57), Rajeev (28) and Mansoor (27) were the main scorers for Khobar. Hasim (4-46) and Imran (2-51) shared the wickets for Dammam. AR played briskly with openers Sayeed (23) and Mustafa (27) hitting out and later Adanan (52) and Najmuddin (37) added useful runs. But they failed to reach the target. Rajmohan (4-44) and Michal (2-13) got the main wickets of Dammam. Rajmohan was named the Player of the Match. Delta Najran Jewels defeated Shams Abha Avians by 29 runs. Both teams needed a win to enter the last 8. Electing to bat first, Delta made 188-7 with Salam (65), Saleem (50) and Saqlain (25) contributing to the total. Aleemuddin (3-44) and Meraj (2-59) shared the Najran scalps. Saleem (2-21), Nouman (2-37) and Saqlain (2-42) restricted Shams to 159-8. Only Yousuf (58) and Raof (32) fought in vain. Opener Salam won the Player of the match award. An already qualified team Dream India Saudi Gems defeated Interactive Jeddah Jockeys by 166 runs. Akber cracked 121 along with Ehsan (60) and Imran (58). Fayaz (3-58) bowled well for Jeddah. Zakir (3-14) and Ehsan (2-18) supported him. Interactive team got out in 13 overs for 108. Akbar won the Player of the Match and Abad Specialized Clinic's Star of the Day awards. Friendi Jubail Jaguars lost its last encounter to Mashal Taif Tigers by 7 wickets. Hussain's all-round show got the Taif team into the quarterfinals. Electing to bat first, Jubail made only 115-5 through Qadeer (25) and Shadab (20). Hussain not only took 3-19 but also made 55 to earn the Player of the Match trophy. Mohsin hit 21 in Mashal Tigers 112-3 in 9.3 overs. Quarterfinals lineup: Dream India Saudi Gems vs. Alga Tabuk Titans; Mir Saudi Stallion vs. Delta Najran Jewels; Mashal Taif Tigers vs. AR Sports Dammam Fighters and Syed Najd Najams vs. HS Khobar Knights.
