RIYADH — Pak Shaheen defeated Mehran Cricket Club by 136 runs in the inaugural match of MoneyGram National Club Championship at RCA Cricket Complex here recently. Put into bat, Pak Shaheen posted a formidable total of 262-6 in 20 overs. It started aggressively with Abdul Waheed (41) and Ibrar Ul Haq (21) scoring at will. Once the openers were back in the pavilion, Abdul Qadir and Abdul Wahab took charge and scored 73 each. Abdul Salam added a quick-fire 21 in the final overs. Fakhar bagged 3 wickets, while Asad and Ayaz took 2 each. Chasing a huge target, Mehran was bundled out for a meager 136. Habeeb was the only batsman who showed some resistance and scored 63. Abdul Waheed picked up 3 wickets, while Ibrar and Abuzar claimed 2 each. Abdul Waheed was declared Man of the Match for his all-round performance. The group B match was a tie up between RCA champion Pak Shaheen and RCL champion Mehran. The championship is being organized by Saudi Cricket Centre and sponsored by MoneyGram. Nine champion teams of MoneyGram CKB tournaments being played in the Kingdom's different regions are taking part in the tournament. These teams are divided into three groups. Group A: My Care and Hala (WPCA); MHA (JCA); and Pak National Jizan (SPCA). Group B: Pak Shaheen (RCA); Mehran (RCL); and Al-Tuwariqi (EPCA). Group C: Al-Muzain (YACA); Unique CC (MCL); and Pak Eagle (MCA). Group matches will be played in Riyadh, Jeddah and Madinah. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super-Six Round, which will be played in Yanbu, which will also host the grand finale of the championship. — SG
