SKFCC outplayed Honda in a nail-biting encounter in the Al-Markb Main League 2016-17, organized by Estern Province Cricket Association (EPCA) here. Batting first, Honda posted 365-7 with some excellent batting from Bilal (153), Noman (113) and Asher (50). Bilawal was the pick of the bowlers with 4 wickets. In reply, SKFCC batsmen showcased mind-blowing batting class especially through Waseem (133), Irfan (90) and Kashan (47) and clinched a 3-wicket win. Atif took 4 wickets. Dolphins suffered an upset, when MRCC defeated them by 7 wickets. An excellent spell from Haris (6-38) helped MRCC to close the Dolphins innings for 201. Zuhair and Rehan (58 each) batted well. In reply, MRCC's captain Majid (86 not out), along with Rizwan (55), chased the target in just 28 overs. Tajamul picked up 2 wickets. Batting first, SAQCC rode on Kashif's classy innings of 175 and posted a 279-run target for ADCC. For ADCC Kashif and Nazim clinched 3 wickets each. The target looked easily achievable when Nazim (101) was batting, but SAQCC bowlers made an excellent comeback by bowling out the opponents 27 runs short of the target. Asif took 3 wickets and Adeel 2. In other matches, Ghamdi continued its dominance with good batting from Ahmad (159) and Bilal (156) and defeated NTBDCC by 220 runs. 113 runs from Wahab and a 4-wicket haul from Muqeem handed PGCC a 106-run victory over NSCC. Meanwhile, SCPCO edged past PSCC by 3 runs. Umair (92), Shahzad (73) and Shafiq (75) were the performers of the match. Group Leaders KKKCC narrowly escaped defeat against BDYCC in a low-scoring match. Batting first, KKKCC was bowled out for 151 in 25 overs. Sherin took 4 wickets, while James and Asif claimed 3 each. Salmanuddin (42) was the only batsman who showed some resilience. KKKCC bowlers restricted BDYCC 11 runs short of the target. Iftekhar took 3 wickets and was well supported by Ilyas, Safiullah and Salmanuddin who took 2 wickets each. Batting first, AJACC set a 283-run target for TSSQCC. Sjaid (49) and Manzoor (45) were the key contributors with the bat. Kashif claimed 4 wickets. While chasing, half centuries from Imran (71) and Saleem (52) couldn't help TSSQCC to cross the winning line as Mohsinuddin picked up 4 wickets and Shahfaisal 3., leaving the opponent 25 runs short of target. EMSCC registered a 144-run victory over DHECC. Batting first, EMSCC posted 211 through Rizwan (67), Owais (54) and Qaisar (44). For DHECC, Faizan (4-39) and Asad (3-38) were the leading wicket-takers. In reply, DHECC was bundled out for 67. Osman took 4 wickets, Owais 3 and Ijaz 2. In a high-scoring match, Saipem emerged victorious against KXICC. Put into bat, KXICC made 331-8. Khalid (91) and Farhan (63) were the top scorers. Saipem Rahiman took 3 wickets. Saipem openers produced a 261-run partnership before Rahiman (133) got out. Nishant (112) played yet another captain's innings and scored his third century in five innings. Saipem chased the target in 36 overs for the loss of 4 wickets. Ijaz claimed 2 wickets. Opting to bat first, YSCC posted 277. Ali (84) and Aftab (35 not out) played well. While chasing, BHCC started off well but fell short of 18 runs as YSCC bowlers Khizeer (3-27) and Shabbir (3-37) dominated. Sahid was the top scorer with 46, while Nisar made 30. In other matches, Tamimi suffered an upset against EACC, PXCC registered an easy 4-wicket win over Gladiators, BTCC lost by 109 runs to PASCC, GCC lost to ENERCO, HGCC defeated SHXCC by 91 runs, FRCC suffered yet another defeat to RKCC, KBCC downed ZUCC by 11 runs and ECYGCC won over TACC by 23 runs. — SG
