Hamid Afandi JEDDAH — In a do-or-die clash between two titans, Kerry Packers kept its cool to beat Elaf Gold by 20 runs to claim the UPL (United Premier League) Super Cup. Put into bat, Kerry Packers started poorly as it lost Sami Khan caught by Adnan off the bowling of Qamar Abbas for 10. Soon after Zahid (14) was the victim of an excellent throw from Adnan and the team was faltering at 27 for 2. Captain Abdul Wahid took charge to help post a respectable total of 52 in five overs. He clubbed 2 sixes into the crowd scoring 20 quick runs with Samiullah, who carved 11 at the other end. Chasing 53 at an average of 10.4 runs per over, Elaf Gold made a dreadful start. The team lost its captain Adnan with 9 on the board. Some disciplined bowling and attacking fielding rattled the middle order as batsmen departed in quick succession. Only Qamar Abbas (7) stayed on to prevent a rapid collapse. The innings wrapped up for 30 with some brilliant bowling performances by Ali, who snatched 2-4, and Zaheer, who took 2-5. The inspiring show, ornamented with massive fireworks and colorful arrangements, was staged by United Premier League to bring to a close the Elaf Super-7 tournament. The Elaf management including Mahfooz Hussain, CFO; Hassan Raouf, general manager of Elaf Jeddah Hotel; Shoaib bin Mahfooz, HR vice president; and Ehtisham Waris, director operations, graced the occasion. Hassan Rouf congratulated the winner and the runner-up and assured the teams of Elaf's cooperation in future. He thanked the UPL management for its untiring efforts to promote cricket in the Western region. Niyas Arakal, UPL chairman, thanked Ealf Jeddah Hotel for sponsoring the tournament. He also acknowledged Ehtisham Waris for arranging sponsorship and providing unlimited support throughout the event. The awards were distributed after the match where the chief guest Mahfooz Mahfooz Hussain presented the winner's trophy to Kerry Packers captain Abdul Wahid, while the runner-up trophy was awarded to Adnan of Elaf Gold. Awards of appreciation were also presented to K.O. Paulson, sports editor of Saudi Gazette, Mahfooz Hussain and Hassan Raouf. Other prizes: Man of the Final — Ali of Kerry Packers, Best Batsman — Abdul Wahid of Kerry Packers, Best Bowler — Mujahid of Al Max, and Player of the Tournament — Abdul Wahid of Kerry Packers.
