DAMMAM — Al-Ghamdi outplayed SCPCO in the Premier Division of the EPCA Main League, sponsored by Al-Markb International and organized by Eastern Province Cricket Association (EPCA) here. The Main League is being conducted in three categories as Premier Division (12 teams), First Division Level I (12 teams) and First Division Level II (18 teams). Premier Division Al-Ghamdi (AGCC) defeated SCPCO. Put into bat, AGCC posted 325 with fine knocks from Ahmad (131 not) and Bilal (112). Naeem took 2 wickets and Riaz 1. In reply, Mohsin (85) and Riaz (80), kept the hopes for SCPCO but good bowling by Ziyad (4-42) and Omar (3-63), ensured a 50-run victory for AGCC. NSCC came on top against Al-Dossary (ADCC). ADCC, batting first, was bowled out for 204 as Umair took 4-11 and Waseem 3-32). Munawar (64) and Akthar (46) contributed with the bat for ADCC. NSCC, while chasing, reached the target in 38.3 overs for the loss of 7 wickets which saw sensible innings from Aftab (85) and Usman (50). Kabir and Kashif claimed 2 wickets each. A comeback innings from Afaq helped Honda to seize victory over NTBDCC. Batting first NTBDCC set up a 318-run target. Amir hit 77 and Sami 49. For Honda Bilal took 3 wickets and Afaq 2. In reply Honda's Afaq belted 139, supported by Bilal (74) and Kashif (68). Honda won by 7 wickets in 36 overs. In other matches, AGDCC defeated SAQCC by 8 wickets and Pan Gulf continued its supremacy by defeating PSCC by 138 runs. First Division In a nail-biting encounter, BDYCC and AJACC tied the match. Batting first, AJACC's Mohsin (77) and Sajid (58) batted well but was restricted to 238 by Zainudheen and Bharat, who took 3 wickets each. In reply, BDYCC's Sayed (93) and Hannan (56) were batting fluently but Mohsin and Tanveer (3 wickets each) helped AJACC bounce back and tie the game. Group leader TSSQCC tasted its first defeat, losing to EACC. Put into bat, TSSQCC managed 229. Nabeel (34) and Syed (32) were the top batsmen. Prashant took 4-30 while Imran and Muzahir claimed 2 wickets each. In reply, EACC lost its opener quickly but Niyaz (30) played a sensible innings. TSSQCC fought back with some quick wickets but Imarn (51) and Muzahir (50 not out) changed the game completely in favor of EACC and completed the chase in the 37th over. Raja, Imran and Naeem took 3 wickets each. Shamas' double ton was too much to handle for YSCC. Batting first PASCC set up a 347-run target for YSCC. Shamas (202) was well supported by Arsalan (63) and Abid (53). Saif grabbed 2 wickets. In reply, YSCC was bundled out for 235. Shohail (37) and Aftab (45) batted well. Saeed (5-53) ran through the batting line up of YSCC and Ijaz claimed 2 wickets. FRCC outplayed ECYGCC. Batting first FRCC batmen Sultan (150) and Hamid (118) took the team to 346. Osman took 2 wickets. The game was evenly balanced as ECYGCC's Saad (86), Asif (53) and Osman (63) batted well, but Javeed and Azeem (3 wickets each) ensured FRCC a convincing 40-run victory. In other matches, Tamimi defeated EMSCC by 65 runs, Bawardi opened its account by defeating Gladiators by 83 runs, Ashes eased past PXCC by 85 runs and KKKCC routed DHECC by 196 runs. Falcons lost to Enerco by 6 wickets, Shayan won over ZUCC by 62 runs, BHCC defeated BTCC by 3 wickets, GCC eased past RKCC by 96 runs, KXICC downed TACC by 49 runs and KBCC won over DHSCC by 165 runs, helped by a third consecutive century by Kiran (102).
