Dr. Gayas Ahmed RIYADH — Youm Al-Watani Cup Tournament has reached the knockout stage as Noviasat's Dammam Fighters, Mash Gizan Gladiators and GK's Jeddah Jockeys made it into the quarterfinals here recently. All the three teams were in a must-win situation. In the fifth and final round of matches, Jockeys had a smooth ride as the opponents Hiltons Hail Heroes could not take the field due to injuries to players. Jockeys got the required points to make last eight. In the second crucial match of the day, Noviasat's Fighters prevailed over Mashal's Jubail Jaguars by 19 runs. Batting first, Fighters made 161-7 in 16 overs as Adanan Rayees made 50 (25 balls, 6x6, 4x1) and Mustafa 21. Yusuf (3-32) and Iqbal (2-48) shared the wickets. Noviasat's Asif (3-31), Sayeed (2-30) and Essam (3-46) restricted the Mashal's team to 142-8. Mubasshir 45 (23, 6x3, 4x4) and Shafaqat 23(6x1, 4x2) were the main scorers. Adanan Rayees was named the Player-of-the-Match. In another match, Mash's Gizan Gladiators outclassed Abad's Abha Avians. Attaur Rahman and Mansoor excelled with both bat and ball. Gladiators registered a 102-run win and earned third position in Group A. Mash made 212-5 through Mansoor 51 (25, 6x4, 4x3), and Atta 45 (15, 6x5, 4x3). Subash took 2-50. Abad's team was all out for 110. Gopi and Subash made 22 each. Atta (4-36), Mansoor (3-39) and Abid (2-20 claimed wickets for Mash. Attaur Rahman was adjudged the Player-of-the-Match. Other three matches of the day decided positions as five out of six teams have already qualified for the quarters. Mir's Saudi Stallions and Alwan's Arab Royals battled out for top spot in Group B. Stallions were all out for 212 in 15.5 overs. Asad 57 (24, 6x8), Irfan 41 (21, 6x4, 4x4) and Himayath 38 (6x2, 4x2) were the main contributors. Hashim (3-42), Imran (3-45) and Fazil (2-52) were the wicket-takers. Accurate pace attack by Mir's Kabir, Asad and Irfan kept the Alwan's batsmen under check and they could muster only 174-6. However, Sajid hit 90 (44, 6x6, 4x5). Mir's won the match by 38 runs and topped Group B, pushing Alwan's to second. Asad was named the Player-of-the-Match. Mumtaz's Riyadh Ryders batsmen put up a good show in its win against Wafaq's Yanbu Warriors. Ryders made 187-5 through Taher Bin Jaffer 46 (28, 6x2, 4x2, Javed 36 (17, 6x4, 4x1), Tabrez 33 (6x3, 4x3) and Ahmed Tamimi 31 not out (6x2, 4x1). Aashiq took 3-45. Warriors made 144-9 with the lone fight coming from Khuram 59 (28, 6x6, 4x4). Usman (3-36), Ahmed Tamimi (2-25) and Ashfaq (2-38) bowled Ryders to a 43-run win and lifted it to second spot, edging Yanbu to fourth in Group A. Taher won the Player-of-the-Match award. Al-Abda's Najran Jewels took the top spot in Group A by registering a big 201-run win over Delta's Tabuk Titans. Najran piled up 311-3, mainly on an explosive 29-ball 98 not out with 14 sixes by Ata. Rauf 64 (29, 6x6, 4x4), Imran 44 (15, 6x6, 4x1) and Hussain 27 (12, 6x2, 4x2) gave company for Ata. Dr. Rehan took 2-64. Tabuk was skitlled out for 110 in 14 overs. Asgar made 17. Husain (4-22), Shaid (2-17) and Imran (2-48) were the main destroyers of Tabuk. Husain was adjudged the Player-of-the-Match. Quarterfinal lineup: 1. Al-Abda's Najran Jewels vs. GK's Jeddah Jockeys, 2. Mumtaz's Riyadh Ryders vs. Noviasat's Dammam Fighters, 3. Mir's Saudi Stallions vs. Wafaq's Yanbu Warriors, 4. Alwan's Arab Royals vs. Mash's Gizan Gladiators. Group standings: Group A: Mumtaz's Riyadh Ryders, played 5, win 4, loss 1, draw 0, points 8, Al-Abda's Najran Jewels (5-4-1-0-8), Wafaq's Yanbu Warriors (5-3-2-0-6), Mash's Gizan Gladiators (5-3-2-0-60, Abad's Abha Avians (5-1-4-0-2), Delta's Tabuk Titans (5-0-5-0-0). Group B: Mir's Saudi Stallions (5-5-0-0-10), Alwan's Arab Royals (5-4-1-0-8), Noviasat's Dammam Fighters (5-3-2-0-6), Jeddah Jockeys (5-2-3-0-4), Mashal's Jubail Jaguars (5-1-4-0-2), Hilton's Hail Heroes (5-0-5-0-0).
