JEDDAH – Al-Waha, IISJ, PISJ-ES White and PISJ-Aziziyah Green came out on top in the 4th week matches played in the REDTAG U-16 Inter-School Cricket Tournament which is being organized by WPCA under the supervision of Saudi Cricket Centre (SCC) here recently. ACC Development Manager Iqbal Sikander, who is also a former Pakistani cricketer, paid a surprise visit to the WPCA grounds to see the boys in action. Speaking on the occasion he emphasized that the essence of cricket lies in the grassroots level where talented players can be identified and then groomed under qualified coaches. He was highly impressed by the enthusiasm and interest shown by the Under-16 boys. In the first match, Al-Waha International School beat PISJ-Aziziyah White by 31 runs. Batting first, Waha scored 139-2 with Mohammed Mirza Baig (71 in 33 balls) and Yasser (31) among the runs. Saad claimed 2 wickets. PISJ-Aziziyah White was bowled out for 108 with Waleed hitting 39 and Hussain 20. Mishal Khan picked up 4 for 12 and Zain 3. International Indian School Jeddah (IISJ) trounced PISJ-ES Green by 17 runs. Opting to bat first, IISJ piled up 137 for 8 through Sohail (32) and Rayyan (29). Umar claimed 2 wickets. PISJ-ES Green, in reply, was restricted to 120 for 6. Ahmed Raja made 44, Danial 28, while Ahmed Faraz and Hamza added 13 each. Sohail bagged 2 scalps. The third match saw PISJ-ES White thrash Hala International School by 9 wickets. Hala posted 158 for 2 with Umair striking 5 fours to remain unbeaten on 61, while Saddam hit 27 and Ali 35. In reply, PISJ-ES White reached the target of 159 for the loss of one wicket with two balls to spare thanks to Hamza's unbeaten knock of 78 off 50 balls. Anas added 57 in 39 balls. In the day's final match, PISJ-Aziziyah Green downed DPS Al-Falah International School by 4 wickets. DPS put on 142 for 8 with Wiraj making 41, Hussain 18 and Faizan 12. Zeeshan picked up 3 for 15. PISJ-Aziziyah Green was home (143) for the loss of 6 wickets. Hamdan top-scored with 26, Zubair remained unbeaten on 25, Usman added 13 and Afridi 12. Faizan and Abdullah captured 2 wickets each. In the previous week's action International Indian School Jeddah won by 8 wickets against Al-Waha International School. Al-Waha 82 all out (Maseel 26; Rayan, Zahid and Bilal 2 wickets each) IISJ 83-2 in 13.2 overs (Zahid 27 not out, Sohail 22, Rayan scored 16). PISJ-Aziziyah Green routed PISJ-ES White by 10 wickets. PISJ-ES White 108-7 (Hamza 48 not out, Mahtab 15) PISJ-Aziziyah Green 112 without loss (Saeed Shah 68, Yasir Afridi 40). Shamshad Ghoher of REDTAG and SCC Chief Executive Officer Nadeem Nadwi were at the ground to see the matches. — SG
