Abu Anas RIYADH — Pre-quarterfinalists were spotted in the second week of the SCC-Moneygram Cricket Ke Badshah 6-Over Tournament which is sponsored by Moneygram and organized by the Riyadh Cricket Association (RCA) under the auspices of Saudi Cricket Centre (SCC) here recently. The remaining league matches were played in the first session. Green Bangla hammered 117 runs against an ineffective bowling attack of JMI Alumni-XI with Zakir and Kakon scoring 49 and 42, respectively. In reply, JMI Alumni XI could only manage 42. Azmat was the top scorer (23). In another match, TBCC XI (54) lost to Yusuf Zai (55) with the support of Asif (20) and Usman (18). Al-Qassim Green (105) beat AB Contracting (73) by 32 runs. Irfan was the star performer with a breezy 54. Lahore Badshah (Green) scored 71, mainly through Ali Butt 26 and bowled out Suleiman XI for 58 as Azhar contributed 35. Tigers could manage only 56 against a strong bowling attack of Punjab Stars. In reply, Punjab Stars reached the target in 4.4 overs. Arshad top-scored with 33. The first match of the knockout stage was played between Riyadh Fighters and Combined-XI. With an explosive cameo of 48 by Kashif, Combined-XI set a target of 91. In reply, Riyadh Fighters were bowled out for 85. Yassir scored a fighting 45. Riyadh Warriors scored 75 through Aziz 35 and Asif 17 against CKK-XI. Ali Shahid was the pick of the bowlers with 2 wickets in his one over and helped CKK win and qualify for the pre-quarterfinals. Jawar Al-Jazira (94) beat KFSH Green (79). Kashif was the highest scorer with 44. Punjab Stars (64) lost to Majlis-e-Pakistan which reached the target with one ball to spare. Abdullah produced a quick-fire 40. KFSH Blue comfortably won against Al-Qassim Green and qualified for the next round. Al-Qassim scored 86. Nasir Abbasi remained not out on 53 — his third consecutive fifty — and steered KFSH Blue to victory. Yusuf Zai collapsed to 27 against Stallions, who raced to the target in 2.4 overs. Royal Strikers (46) lost to Lahore Badshah (48). Waheed 23 and Fahad 25 were the main scorers. RAC and Thales were tied on 79. The exciting match was won by Thales after scoring 12 in the super over. Amir Holidays tallied 112 through Sajid 56 and Sami 38. In reply, Grundfos managed only 66. Kamran and Irfan grabbed two wickets each for Amir Holidays. Fuchs scored 70 with Awais scoring 50. In reply, Al-Qassim White reached the target with two balls to spare. Basit scored a quick-fire 30 for Al-Qasssim White. Shuraim (80) beat Hyderabad Warriors (74). Shani took 2 wickets. Lahore Lions (94) beat Green Bangla (51). Nawaz top-scored with 61. Attiyah Steel (59) lost to Pak Shaheen (63). Abdul Wahid scored 25. Imran-XI made 75 against Pak Force, which hit a six on the last ball and qualified for the pre-quarterfinals. The knockout matches will be played Friday morning. The finals will be in the afternoon. The Moneygram Trophy and a $2,000 check are at stake for the winner.
