JEDDAH — The ninth week of UPL Elite Cup transformed into a decisive juncture as teams excitedly put up tempestuous efforts to qualify for the semifinals. Players and officials, meanwhile, continue to mull over the un-ending changes to teams' positions before the knockout stage. The opening match of the night became one-sided affair as Target Guys beat Lothers by 5 wickets. Taking the strike first, Lothers could muster only 50 for the loss of 5 wickets. Farshat was the major contributor with 31. Danish and Salahudin scalped 2 wickets each for 6 and 8 runs, respectively. Target Guys reeled off the target in the 7th over for the loss of 5 wickets. Shamso and Irfan knocked off breezy 25 and 22 respectively to take the team close to victory. Shibu was in devastating form and garnered 4 wickets, only delaying the inevitable. In the second encounter, Challengers defeated Tech Yorker by 10 runs. Challengers scored 99-5 as Ayoub hit 4 sixes in his 50, while Bashir charged with a quick-fire 21. Syed and Wajid took 2 wickets apiece. Chasing the fighting mark of 100, Tech Yorker lost 6 wickets to reach 89 with Faisal Saleem (33) and Waseem (22) trying their best to score a win. Badru and Sarfraz grabbed 3 and 2 wickets, respectively. Elsewhere, Elaf displayed a solid show of batting against IOE as it put on 105 in 8 overs. Qaisar blasted 50 in 21 balls, while Rishan hammered 30. Muzaffar and Afraz of IOE chipped in with a wicket each. In reply, IOE was bundled out for mere 59. Abdul Ghafar was prominent with his 25, while Afraz added 17. Amir of Elaf grabbed 4-7 and Madhura 3-17. Kerala Strikers refreshed their winning streak against giant Rising Stars with a 6-wicket win. Rising Stars reached a fighting total of 84 with the help of Tanweer (35) and Waqas (25). Hisham 2-33 and Ameer 1-7 were the key wicket takers. Responding to a fighting total, Kerala Strikers succeeded in reaching the finishing line in 6th over. Tanweer smacked 2 sixes in his unbeaten 35, while Waqas scored 25. All 4 batsmen were downed by Imran, who produced some extra bounce and pace. — SG
