Dr. Gayas Ahmed RIYADH — Alwan's Arab Royals, Mir's Saudi Stallion from Group B and Al-Abda's Najran Jewels from Group A entered the quarterfinals of the Youm Al-Watani Cup 2013 here recently. The three quarterfinalists earned their berths by recording their third successive wins. Alwan's team was restricted to 120 in 16 overs due to good fielding and bowling by Hilton's Hail Heroes Imran (4-9) and Haidar (3-23) and Javed (2-26). Only Ismail's responsible knock of 53 (25 balls, 6x5, 4x1) boosted the total. In return, the Hilton's batsmen did not stay long due to fine bowling of Ismail (3-18) and Hashim (2-10), supported with 3 splendid catches by keeper Fazil. Hilton's was bundled out for 75 in 11.3 overs. Ismail's all-round performance earned him the Man-of-the-Match award. Mumtaz's Riyadh Ryders captain Ahmed Tamimi's all-round show against Delta's Tabuk Titans (3-23 and 44 — 15 balls, 6x4, 4x4) won him the Man-of-the-Match award and a breezy 9-wicket win for his team. Javed made 39 (14 balls, 6x4, 4x1). Tabuk's 97-8 which included 28 (18, 6x2, 4x1) from Zakir, was overwhelmed in 5.1 overs. Ashfaq (3-20) and Osman (2-25) were the wicket-takers for Ryders. Man-of-the-Match Saleem made 105 (38, 6x9, 4x7) along with Ata (30 — 12, 6x4, 4x1), Rauf (30 — 15, 6x3) to help Alabda's Najran Jewels reach 197-3 in 14.4 overs against Abad's Abha Avians 194-9. Al-Abad's batsmen showed fine form for the first time in the cup. Chagala made 45, Subash 38, Abu 28 and Haneef 29. But that was not enough to avoid defeat by 7 wickets. Hussain (3-40) and Naveed (2-41) were the wickets-takers for Jewels. In the fouth match, Mash's Gizan Gladiators defeated Wafaq's Yanbu Warriors by 42 runs. Gladiators made 178-9 in 16 overs through Ata 57 (16, 6x8, 4x1), Shamshu 38 (16, 6x3, 4x3) and Shahazad 20 (13, 6x1, 4x1). Kashif and Amir took 3-20 and 2-50, respectively. Warriors could score only 136-9. Hussain hit 70 (38, 6x12, 4x7). Mansoor took 2-33 and Shazad 4-30 (including a hat trick) won him the Man-of-the-Match award. The match between Mir's Saudi Stallion and Noviasat's Dammam Fighters was a thriller. Mir's team could muster only 152-6 in 16 overs in spite of a good batting lineup. Aamir 45 (30, 6x4, 4x1) and Sufiyan 36 (19, 6x2, 4x1) added substance to the total. Hisham (2-43) and Muddasir (2-19) bowled well. Noviasat's fighters fought till the end but fell short by 5 runs. Mudassir made 31. Aamir (4-31), Azher (2-42), Kabir (2-36) took the wickets for Mir's. Azher's all-round effort brought him the Man-of-the-Match award. The last match of the day was a sea-saw battle between Mashal's Jubail Jaguars and GK's Jeddah Jockeys. Jaguars made 215 through stroke-filled innings from Mubasshir 97 (34, 6x2, 4x13), Munna 29 (10, 6x4, 4x1) and Shafaqat 25 (14, 6x1, 4x3). Jameel (5-36) and Qadeer (4-36) shared the wickets. The run chase by Jockey's witnessed ups and downs. Finally Jameel changed the game in their favor with 48 (22, 6x6, 4x1). Azhar contributed 36, Maqbool 31 and Hussain 25 to win the match with only 2 balls remaining. Jameel was named the Man-of-the-Match.
