YANBU — Pak Shaheen beat Al-Tuwairqi by 43 runs in the final to claim the MoneyGram Cricket Ke Badshah T20 Tournament trophy at the Royal Commission ground here recently. Pak Shaheen, the Riyadh Cricket Association (RCA) side, also pocketed a SR10,000 cash award for downing the Eastern Province Cricket Association club. Umar Akmal, a Pakistan national team batting star, presented the prizes to the winners and top achievers. Yousaf Tarrek, corridor manager MEPA; Khalid Harrah, Manager Sports, Royal Commission, Yanbu; Nadeem Nadwi, CEO of Saudi Cricket Centre; and Akram Qureshi, President of YACA, also graced the occasion with officials of other regional cricket associations. Al-Tuwairqi won the toss and put Pak Shaheen into bat. Pak Shaheen put on 197-8 on an AstroTurf wicket. Abrarul Haq hit 5 sixes and 3 fours to compile 53. Abdulqadir hit 40, Abdulwahab 37 and Yasser 31. Ather claimed 5-27 for Al-Tuwairqi. Chasing almost 10 runs per over, Al-Tuwairqi lost wickets at regular intervals and was restricted to 154-7. Tajammul made 38, Rizwan 34 and Nawed 29. Fahad and Abdul Wahab shared 3 wickets each. Abdul Wahab was adjudged Man of the Match. In the semifinals, played a day earlier at WPCA Eskan Ground in Jeddah, Al-Tuwairqi handed WPCA side My Care Hala a 7-wicket thrashing, while Pak Shaheen thrashed YACA club Al-Maozzen by 50 runs. In the first semifinal, My Care Hala was bowled out for 120 as Khawar Sohail scalped 4-35 and Waqas took 2 wickets. Tariq made 26 and Moazzam 20. Al-Tuwairqi, in reply, reached 123 off just 70 balls for the loss of three wickets. In the other semis, Pak Shaheen, put into bat by Al-Moazzen, piled up 179 through Abdulwaheed (27), AbrarulHaq (30), Ateeque (23) and Fahad (21). Aaquib and Shoaib claimed 2 wickets each. Al-Maozzen, in reply, was bundled out for 129. Inayat hit 29 and Zahiruddin 25. Abdulsalam grabbed 3-11, while Abdulwaheed, Abdulwahab and Ateeque claimed 2 each. A glittering prize distribution ceremony took place after the grand finale. Umar Akmal handed the winner's trophy and the cash prize to Pak Shaheen skipper Abdul Wahab. Rizwan received the runner-up cup along with SR5,000 cash prize. Among other awardees were: Abdulwahab of Pak Shaheen — Man of the Match; Abdulwaheed of Pak Shaheen — Best Batsman; Ather of Al-Tuwairqi — Best Bowler. Services awards were also given to match officials. — SG
