P A Hameed Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Dammam
Dammam, Apr 7: Expertise Jubail pulled off the gleaming “Panoroma (Padubidri) - Expertise Trophy-2012” by trampling Khobar United by 22 runs in the knockout Cricket Tournament (two-day event) held recently at Rakah Grounds, here in the Eastern province.
The tourney was organized by Panorama (Padubidri) Dammam Unit for a noble cause. A total of 16 teams - ICC, Khobar United, Expertise, AlFalah, AMACO, Zamil Industrial, SAB Warriors, Aman Friends, Corniche Blue, Al Anwar, Eastern Blue, NGC, Realtech, SAB ME and KFC-took part in the 10 overs’ knockout match. Despite the bad weather, the tourney was successfully conducted.
The final playoff between Expertise and Khobar United (KU) showed a fantastic and impressive glitz in the ground. Expertise opted first to bat after winning the toss. In the beginning itself, Expertise exhibited a exceedingly stimulating move with the excellent partnership between Nuwan and Zubair, who captured 28 and 27 runs respectively. Though the fall of the duo was thought to be a big blow to Expertise, it was, however, falsified soon with the superb batting performance by the succeeding players that caused the bowlers and players of KU to struggle fiercely all over the ground. Expertise scored 80 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in the allotted 8 overs in the playoff.
The takeoff by KU in an attempt to chase the target was tough initially itself. Though, Akhtar from KU hoped to be a ‘life saver’ as he took 2 wickets for 17 runs, he couldn’t reach the target against the stunning bowling of Expertise. Akhtar from KU made a superb push in the critical juncture, which enabled them to get rejuvenated in their hope that made Expertise players to wobble severely at one point. He scored 14 runs in 6 balls. However, his sudden out has dimmed their optimism to get to the winning target at once. In the final over, KU were able to get only 58 for 4 wickets in allotted 8 overs. Expertise defeated KU by 22 runs and came out to be a winner of the tournament.
Prior to this final match, a first semi-final was played between KU vs SAB Warriors. KU showed an outstanding performance against SAB Warriors by quashing them by 26 runs. KU won the toss and chose to bat first. Tawfiq and Naveed and Akhtar from KU demonstrated a amazing show in the batting that helped them to gain 124/7. Sajeev is the only unbeaten bowler for SAB, who successfully took 3 wickets from his thrashing bowling. In the end, SAB was to satisfy with the scores of 98 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. Wakas and Usman from KU took 3 and 2 wickets respectively.
The second semi-final was played between Expertise Jubail vs KFC. Expertise have chosen to bat first after winning the flip. It has trounced KFC by 15 runs. Expertise presented a wonderful playoffs against KFC and was successful in scoring 94 runs for the loss of seven wickets with Rajeev's fabulous knock of 24 runs. KFC endeavored to beat the target set by Expertise, but it went in vain regardless of the best bowling displayed by Rozan, who took three wickets. At the end, KFC yielded to Expertise by gaining only 79 runs in seven wickets with the dearth of 15 runs.
The tourney’s best performers were:
1) Man of the Tournament: Akhtar from Khobar United
2) Best Bowler & Man of the Match: Akhtar from Khobar United (alongwith 3 MoM)
3) Best Batsman: Shoaib from Expert
The closing ceremony was kicked off with the Qura’an recitation, followed with the welcome speech by Panorama founding president Ahmed Hussain (HIT). The Unit’s president Mr. Nazeer Hussain presented the activities of PANORAMA. Mansour Ali Ahmed hosted the closing ceremony.
Salman from SAB, Xavier Mathias from Saudi Master Baker Ltd, Sheikh from Expertise Jubail, Haji Meera Hussain, Sheikh Hussain, Shahul Hameed (AFS), Nabeel Mangalore (Raqwan Trading), Hathim Kuloor, Abdullah Thandal and others were present on the dais to witness the colourful ceremony.
Ahmed Hussain expressed the gratitude and appreciation to all the 16 cricket teams, sponsors, match officials, umpires, supporters and audience for making the evening 'most pleasurable and unforgettable' with their kind presence. The mementos were given away to each key sponsors, umpires, scorers and field support teams as a token of deference.
Runner’s up trophy was conferred to Khobar United, while Panorama-Expertise Cup-2012 was grabbed by Expertise Jubail in the vivid moment of the evening in the presence of hundreds of cricket lovers.
United Khobar won the first raffle prize of 42" LCD TV, while second mega prize was lucked by Sandeep.
Panorama is a well-known voluntary organization established in 2006 by Padubidrians in Dammam-Khobar and Riyadh with the objective of doing community services and developments through the educational stratums in the Kingdom and back at home town. The first phase of school building, which is one of the key milestones of Panorama, was successful at Padubidri in Udupi District with the hardwork and effort of the members. The funds collected in the cricket will be utilized for the next phases of the building and other educational doings.