The Saudi Cricket Center (SCC) recently organized National trials as part of its Strategic Plan to promote cricket and improve the performances of national teams in international competitions. In all 43 players from regional cricket associations affiliated with the SCC took part in two back-to-back 50-over matches with the support of Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA). The players were vying for spots on the Saudi national squad, while additional players would go to Saudi Team A to improve its bench strength. Another 16 U19 players, selected for Tour to Kenya, were also given an opportunity to show their skills against the seniors as they prepare themselves for ICC U19 CWC 2018 Asia qualifiers to be played in Malaysia from September 26 to October 7. The players were divided into four teams — Jeddah, Yanbu, Riyadh and Dammam. Members of SCC national selection committee closely observed the performances of the players. The panel comprises: Qasim Naqvi (SCC), Tariq Tanvir (EPCA), Abdul Aziz (RCA), Sohail Shah (WPCA), Sajid Rana (MCL), Imran Khan (YACA) and Liaquat Ali (JRCA). Each player was checked for; ICC eligibility, on-field behavior, availability for international tours, performance during 2015-16 season, fitness and performance during the trials. Dammam beat Jeddah by 18 runs in the first match. (Dammam 268 for 9 — Fawad Shams 58, Faiq Habib 73; Muzafar Majeed 5 wickets. Jeddah 250 all out — Muhsin Rajpoot 64, Muzafar Majeed 58; Damam Waqas and Ibrar Ul Haq three wickets each.) Yanbu beat Saudi Riyadh by 44 runs in the second outing. (Yanbu scored 186 —Nadeem Baber 31 and Muhammad Raheel 41. Yusuf Khalid took three wickets. Riyadh all out for 143 — Zeeshan Butt 21. Muhammad Afzal, Ijaz Sagheer, Imran Yusuf took two wickets each.) Riyadh downed Jeddah by 23 runs in the third match. (Riyadh scored 285 for nine — Abdul Waheed 69, Nadeem Javed 67. Shoaib Ali took three wickets. Jeddah all out for 262 — Ayaz Muhammad 66, Muhammad Bilal 70. Ihasan Noni took three wickets.) Saudi Yanbu thrashed Dammam by 102 runs. (Yanbu 287 — Nadeem Baber 52, Muhammad Afzal 86. Dammam all out for 185 — Khashif Riaz 77.)
