REGC: Triumphed to be crowned Champions of Al Hokair Cricket Championship T40 organized by Riyadh Cricket Association (RCA).
Riyadh Elite Game Changers clinch the Al Hokair Cricket Championship T40 organized by Riyadh Cricket Association (RCA) beating Lahore Badshah by 6 runs in the finals.
It was the most awaited Finals of the season organized by RCA between Riyadh Elite Game Changers and Lahore Badshah at RCA Ground # 5. Lahore Badshah won the toss and invited REGC to bat, to take advantage of the cloudy overcast conditions and December chill’s.
REGC have their strategy well planned were also looking to bat first at this big stage. Their openers for today Azimoddin & captain Kannan Gopi. Unfortunately, lost Kannan 0(1) without troubling the scorers. Azim started off 38(16) started off in a blazing fashion scoring 72 for 2 in 8 overs in the powerplay when Azim departed. Usman then continued scoring at will with Bilal Khan. Usman 76(66) was going well but lack of concentration and a mishit towards deep midwicket caused him his wicket. Strategic Time out the score read 146/4 20 overs.
Hisham Shaikh and Bilal Khan both living up to the reputations and the former is the finest timer and stroke play batsmen in RCA Circuit scored boundaries at will and took the Lahore Badshah bowling line up to task rotating strikes and stealing doubles and triples at ease. Bilal was going well but lack of concentration and a mishit at square leg caused him his wicket. Couple of quick wickets as Abdullah Sherazi 0(6) & Mustafa 1(6) were back in the hut. Hisham continued his blistering batting along with the much-experienced Prasanth. M 29(8) akka “Pollard” who played a cameo. They kept the scoreboard ticking and a sudden miscue caused to return back to the pavilion. Niyamath then joined Hisham and kept the runs flowing. Niyamath, while accelerating lost the plot and was dismissed. Abdullah Zaidi joined Hisham 83(58) who was out in the 40th over, trying to hit a boundary was bowled. REGC batsmen started accelerating the paddles and wickets fell at regular intervals but the final pair at the crease Hisham and Abdullah Zaidi ensured REGC reached a defendable target of 299 runs in 40 overs.
Lahore Badshah openers Mudassir Iqbal & Irfan as usual started off their batting in a thrilling fashion, when Irfan 11(12) departed to be caught by Prashanth M of the bowling of Mustafa Ismail joined taking the score to 68 for 1 at the end of the power play. Lost couple of wickets in quick succession when Ismail 16(26) was caught by Hisham off the bowling of Abdullah Zaidi & Yasir Maqbool 11(14) was Run out a good throw by Hisham got the much respite and needed breakthrough. Najeeb wicket keeper batsmen joined Mudassir Iqbal and were scoring runs at will. Strategic time out the score read as139 for 3 in 20 overs.
It was the biggest threat for REGC as both these batsmen were taking the game away from them. REGC known for keeping their composure under pressure change their strategy and brought back Hisham for his 3rd over who dismissed the dangerous looking Mudassir Iqbal 73(57) Obedullah and Najeeb took the score past 200 when Obedullah 2(4) departed. Adil played another cameo innings for his team scored a quickfire 30(16) as he was run out. Najeeb 69(69) followed soon as Hisham takes an easy caught & bowled. Osman 3(4) was Hisham’s 3rd victim. Asim Hafeez & Nabeel added some quick 25 runs as Nabeel was out and dismissed by their most experienced campaigner Mohammed Azim. The last pair at the crease Asim and Akram could take the team close but fell short by 6 Runs.
Azimooddin and Neyamath bowled one of the tightest middles over spell of the tournament and took the game away from Lahore Badshah. It was a herculean effort from Hisham who brought back the match in favor of REGC when Mudassir Iqbal who scored 73 off 57 and Najeeb who scored 69 off 69 were going in full flow. Hisham grabbing three wickets, Mustafa, Azimooddin , Abdullah Zaidi and Bilal scalped a wicket each and in the end, REGC won comfortably by 6 runs.
Man of the match was awarded to Hisham Shaikh for scoring 83(58) and taking 3 wickets in 8 overs.
Man of the match was awarded to Hisham Shaikh for scoring 83(58) and taking 3 wickets in 8 overs.
Below are the awards for the RCA Al Kharj league that were distributed by the RCA officials, CEO Mr. Nadeem Babar Senior Vice President Mr. Nasir Abbasi:
- CHAMPIONSHIP – Riyadh Elite Game Changers – REGC
- Man of the match Final – Hisham Shaikh (REGC)
- Maximum MVP player of Tournament – Hisham Shaikh (REGC)
- Man of the match Semifinals – Hisham Shaikh (REGC)
Mr. Nasir Abbasi (Sr. Vice-President -RCA) express vote of thanks to all the teams and congratulated both teams for making the final so entertaining for the crowds, also expressed that new innovative way of this tournament was to showcase and bring forward the hidden talent in RCA various leagues.
Mr. Nadeem Babar (CEO- RCA) in vote of thanks expressed gratitude towards the sponsors Al Hokair and the entire executive committee members, management and clubs for providing such talented and quality of cricket being played in RCA
Also congratulated Lahore Badshah for setting a good fight in finals and also expressed his views about REGC Team for their domination in this entire T40 tournament which was sponsored by Al Hokair and organized by Riyadh cricket association.
