MADINAH — ASDAF XI and IDB Green will play for honors in the Madinah Cricket League (MCL) T20 Tournament final. This T20 tournament is organized by MCL and sponsored by Saudi Cricket Centre (SCC). IDB Green defeated Crown Steel and ASDAF XI thrashed My Care & Hala in the semifinals. In the first semifinal, Crown Steel won the toss and elected to bat. Despite an initial hiccup, Crown Steel began well. After Hammad Saeed departed early, Arslan joined Mudassir and they maintained a good average. Mudassir made 55 off 21 balls and Arslan 55 off 25 balls. Usman chipped in with 34 from 16 balls. Crown Steel posted a good total of 207-6. Akram bowled very well and took 2 wickets. Shahid got 2 and Asif 1. In reply, IDB Green's in-form openers started very well in power play and made 70 runs in the first 6 overs, losing only 1 wicket. Tariq blasted 51 off 31 balls. Omer made a quick-fire 33 from 14 balls. Crown Steel bounced back with some quick wickets by Arslan who accounted for 3. Hammad and Usman grabbed 1 each. IDB Green lost 7 wickets in quick succession but Nadeem remained unbeaten on 31 off 18 balls and won the match. IDB Green made 208-7 in 18.5 overs. The second semifinal between ASDAF XI and My Care & Hala was a one-sided affair. My Care & Hala opted to bat first but its batting collapsed. Sadiq showed some resistance with 41 and Tauseef made 21 off just 6 balls. Salman also managed 20. Waqas's excellent line and length bowling earned him 3 wickets. Sajjad and Wajhi grabbed 2 each. My Care & Hala managed 164-9. While chasing, ASDAF XI opening batsman Waqas got out on the first ball but its leading scorer of the tournament Wajhi played an outstanding knock of 113 not out off 47 balls. Bilal supported him with 25 and Yousaf made 23. Younis, Musawir and Tauseef grabbed 1 wicket each. ASDAF XI achieved the target in 16 overs and won the match by losing 7 wickets.
