Report and pics by Mohammed Asif
Daijiworld Media Network - Jubail (SP)
Jubail, Oct 29: Amaco and Konkan XI reached the final of Amaco challenger Trophy-2008, organized by Amaco sports club Jubail, Saudi Arabia. This tournament was inaugurated by Moin of Classis on October 15. A total of eight teams were invited for the tournament, which then were split into two groups. Within these groups, teams played each other in league matches of 16 overs each. Dywidag, AMACO, Konkan and Classic entered the semifinals stage from these two groups.
The first semi final of the tournament was held between Dywidag and Konkan, in which Dywidag’s bid to become the winner of the tournament came crashing down, as this unbeaten team in the league level matches, went down fighting against the Konkan XI. Konkan won the toss and after electing to bat first, made 134 for six in the allotted 16 overs. In reply, Dywidag managed to score quickly in the beginning but a disciplined Konkan bowling attack could restrict them to just 118.
In the second semifinal match, Amaco produced an inspired performance to beat Classic. Amaco won the toss and put classic into bat. Classic opened the innings with Salam and Lala, but Amaco bowler Hafeez managed to pick the wicket of Salam in his first over and Qayyum sent back Moin. But Lala and Abbas built the innings wonderfully. Abbas managed to score 45 runs with the help of four huge sixes. Once Lala got out, the in-form batsman of Classic, Rauf joined Abbas and scored some quick 20 runs, to set a competitive total of 124 for the loss of 6 wickets. Replying, Amaco opened their batting with Asif and Shabeer, who played some sensible cricket by putting on 58 runs in just 6.4 overs for their opening stand. Asif scored quick fire 42 in just 21 deliveries with two huge sixes and three boundaries. Zubair and Thanzeel provided finishing touches to make Amaco reach the target in 13.4 overs.
Along with this, knock-out matches of 10-over each of 10 teams is also being held. Both the finals of this tournament will be held on Thursday 30th October 08 at 7.30 pm.
Apart from the winners and runner up trophies with cash prizes, other individual prizes like the best batsman, best bowler, man-of-the-match, player with maximum number of sixes, best fielder, best wicket keeper, man of the series, player of the year 2008 etc., will also be awarded.
All are invited for the final day, where dinner will be served and some other games and lucky draws are planned to be held.