JEDDAH: Sami Khan hit an unbeaten knock of 115 to hand Kanoo a 135-run win over Jawar Al-Jazira on a day when all the teams taking the strike first came up trumps in the 9th week matches of Jeddah Cricket Association, Premier Division, sponsored by Kanoo Group of Companies. In other encounters Hijaz-XI beat Kanoo Travel by 66 runs; revamped Babar Toor won by 17 runs over ACE Travels; while Sultan Al-Abideen beat Natco by 17 runs. In the highlight of the day Kanoo came out winner over Jawar Al-Jazira. Batting first Kanoo scored 224-2 in its quota of 18 overs. Sami Khan, a prolific batsman, hit an unbeaten knock of 115 runs (9x4s and 9x6s) for the cause. Others who contributed were Rashid Khursheed 42, Najamuddin 29 not out and Junaid 16. Shan Manzoor picked up 1-48 and Amir Shahzad 1-46 for JAJCC. In reply the Jawar Al-Jazira was sent packing for 89 in 16 overs. Zeeshan 21, Zahid 16 and Kamran 10 were the batsmen to score runs in double digits. The wrecker-in-chief was off-spinner Majid Sheikh with magical figures of 5-11, while left-arm fast bowler Kamran bagged 3-19, Sami had 2-13. Kanoo wicketkeeper Junaid claimed five victims behind the stumps as he took three catches and made two smart stumpings. The second match saw pinch-hitter Ayaz hand Hijaz-XI a 66-run win over Kanoo Travel. Opting to bat first Hijaz-XI piled up 223-4 in 18 overs against Kanoo Travels. Ayaz, coming in one-down, made a quick-fire 84 off 36 balls. He hit eight 4s and six 6s. Skipper Talha added useful 46, dashing opener Wahajuddin made 44, while Sadath contributed 23 runs. Veteran spinner Zahid Khan claimed 2-41, Mohammad Riyaz Chukkan 1-29, Haroon Abdullah was the most expensive bowler among Kanoo Travel with 1-50. Kanoo in reply could only muster 157-7 in 18 overs. Mohammad Riyaz Chukkan made 52, Mazhar 34, Haroon Abdullah 21 and skipper Akbar Ali 14. Left-arm spinner Faheem bagged 3-21, Wajid Samdani 2-4 and Wahajuddin 1-22. The next match saw revamped Babar Toor gain a 17-run win over strong ACE Travels. Babar Toor batting first was all out for 153 in 16.3 overs. Javed scored 36, Rana Shahzad 30, Adnan Butt 16, Arshad 16, while Imran Choudhary contributed 14 runs. Hilal claimed 3-28, Imran 2-37, Haleem 1-28, Ashfaque Hussain 1-30 and Anwar Ahmed Khan 1-33. ACE Travels in reply could reach only 136-9 in 18 overs. Opener Anwar Ahmed Khan made 52 runs off 36 balls. His partner Rayees made 38, while Syed Aleem contributed 10 runs. Imran Butt 3-12, Zahid 2-20, Rana Shahzad 1-23, Majeed Bhatti 1-29 and Javed 1-36 excelled with the ball for Babar Toor. Sultan Al-Abideen showed that catches win matches when they beat Natco by 18 runs. Sultan Al-Abideen batting first scored 138-7 in 18 overs. Guddu made 31, Mani 27, Faraz 14, Ahsan 13, while Wasay and Zameer scored 11 runs each. Fast bowler Aijaz Khan troubled the rival team's top order with his accurate bowling. He claimed 1-14 off his three overs. Osman claimed 2-28, Ashique Ali 2-15, Jahangir 1-23 and Shahzeb Khan 1-23. Natco in reply lost its opener Pervez Khan off the first ball. Wickets kept falling at regular intervals as Sultan Al-Abideen fielders took some marvelous catches. Skipper Rahil claimed three catches and was named the man of the match for his effort. Mumrez Khan 21, Jahangir 21, Shahzeb Khan 19 and Chand contributed 17 runs. Natco was bundled out for a paltry 120 runs in 16.3 overs. Irfan Qureshi 2-29, Wasif 2-11, Faraz 2-26, Rahil 2-30 and Fakher bagged 1
