The Sri Lankan Consulate cricket team defeated Bangladesh Consulate cricket team by seven wickets in the final to win the IDB Group–GBest Inter-Consulate Cricket Tournament at the IDB ground here recently. The consulc general of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh graced the final and a large number of cricket fans encouraged both the teams. The Sri Lankan Consulate cricket team elected to field first. The Bangladesh Consulate team scored 110 runs in the allotted 12 overs. Shoaib scored 21 with three sixes, while Rashid and Amin contributed 11 each. Sri Lankan bowlers contained the Bangladeshi batsmen. Zuhair and Dara grabbed three wickets each. In reply, the Sri Lankan side was in an aggressive mood and achieved the target in nine overs for the loss of three wickets. Rinas blasted 49 with seven sixes. Farshad remained not out on 24. Imran captured two wickets from the Bangladesh side. The prize distribution ceremony was held soon after the final. Mohamed Abdullah Baghdadi, chief executive of the GBest Program, was the chief guest and distributed the prizes. Mementos were presented to the counsuls general and the IDB cricket committee. Nadeem Nadwi, Qasim Naqwi, and Sadequl Islam of Saudi Cricket Centre (SCC) along with officials from the Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan and Indian consulates attended the ceremony. Special awards: Man of the Match — Rinos; Man of the Tournament — Jawahir; Best Batsman —Pervaiz; Best Performance of the Tournament — Ghulam Mustafa and Best Bowler — Shibu. Ayaz and Rafi supervised the match. Bagdadi thanked the consulates for participating in the tournament and making it a big success. He highlighted the efforts of IDB in sponsoring the sports activities. The consuls general of the winner and runner-up teams appreciated the efforts of IDB Group in organizing the tournament. They requested IDB to continue the event in future as well. Nadeem Nadwi congratulated the IDB Group and its cricket committee for organizing the tournament. He pledged SCC support for the future tournaments. The IDB committee included Syed Muhammed Asim Raza, Syed Saleem Qadri, S.M. Jawaid, Misbah Nazeer, Javed Khan, Syed Mohammad Abdullah, Mohammed Muzammil Riyaz, Yousufuddine and Abdur Rehman. — SG
