Dammam: NGC Jubail Takes Home DCA Silver Jubilee Trophy – 2010
by Siraj Mohammed

Dammam, Mar 29: NGC Jubail wins DCA Silver Jubilee Trophy – 2010, after beating KCC Knights Cricketers in the final of the T-20, cricket tournament which was played at DCA ground facilities in Rakah Dammam on Friday March 26. DCA annual prize distribution ceremony for the year 2009/10 will be held in April.

KCC who won the toss elected to bat first and lost their opener Obaid when the score was 18. Then Imran joined Sharik and played responsibly and put on 44 runs for the second wicket. After the fall of Imran, they lost good all-rounder of the team Haneef for duck. They were 64/3 in the eighth over. Then good striker of the ball Ashraf joined Sharik and played magnificently and added 32 runs for the fourth wicket. After the fall of Shariq’s wicket KCC batsman struggled difficult to score runs against fine bowling and fielding performances from NGC. They were 127/5 in the sixteenth over. After the fall of Ashraf KCC batsman did not show much on the score board and they frequently lost their wickets and were all-out for 147 in 19.3 overs.

For KCC, Shariq scored 51 with Ashraf scoring 33, Imran 16 and Sharfuddin 14, while for NGC Jubail, left-handed bowler Anees took 4/28 with excellent support from Lathif and Asif B K, who took two wickets each.  

Chasing a target of 148, NGC opener Mansoor and Ashraf begin steadily, and in the fifth over on the score of 37 they lost opener Ashraf . Kalander joined opener Mansoor and did not show much on the score sheet. They lost two good wickets in the form of Kalander and Lathief. At this stage NGC were 69/4 in the tenth over. They still needed 78 from 60 balls with six wickets to spare. All-rounder Anees joined Mansoor and both played some responsible innings and put on 25 runs for the fifth wicket. After the fall of Mansoor, NGC batsmen struggled for runs. However, good striker of the ball left hander Anees stood firmly at one end with his magnificent batting. Anees proved his prowess and thrashed KCC bowling by taking NGC to achieve the target in the 18.3 overs with three wickets in hand. Anees was unbeaten 41 with 30 balls with two huge sixes to the midwicket.   

 Anees of NGC was adjourned "man of the match" for his excellent batting and bowling performances. 

Others of NGC, Mansoor scored 34 and Ashraf 11, while for KCC Knights Abdul Rehaman took 3/28 with Haneef and Mouzzam taking one wicket each. NGC Jubail defeated KCC Knight by 3 wickets. 

After the finals, sponsors, SUEDROHRBAU S A. LTD- Dammam andCORNICH BLUE CRICKTERS- Al khobar, lauded the efforts of DCA committee who organized such a wonderful tournament that was played for five months with participation of 25 teams from Dammam, Al Khobar, Jubail and Seihat.

Earlier, in the first semifinals, played between Srilankan Sports Club (SLSC) and KCC Knights, KCC Knights, who won the toss, put SLSC to bat first and they lost four good wickets when the score was 57. At this stage captain Rifdi and Murshid were on the crease and both played magnificently to put on valuable 80 runs for the fifth wicket. Rifdi smashed six huge sixes to the fence, and well-supported by Murshid. At the end they were able to score 145/7 in the allotted 20 overs.

 For SLSC, Rfidi hit 46, while Murshid scored 39 and Dempsy 27. A Rehaman took 2/22 for KCC Knights. 

Chasing a target of 147, KCC opener Shariq and Obaid played steadily and built a partnership for 50 runs for the first wicket. And then Imran and Haneef also, played some good innings and at the end Ashraf took his team to easy victory in the 18th over. They were 147/3. Shariq scored 49, Obaid scored 29, Haneef 17 with Ashraf remaining not out at 33. For SLSC, Sanjeeva took 2/21 
 
In the second semifinals played between CORNICH BLUE CRICKTERS and NGC Jubail. NGC Jubail won the toss and put CBC to bat first, which scored 18 runs for the first wicket. After the fall of opener Riyaz, CBC frequently lost their wickets and found it very difficult to score runs against the fine bowling and fielding performance by NGC players. Only Niyaz and Santhosh Jr played steadily to score, after the fall Santhosh. At last they were all-out for 134.

For CBC, Niyaz Kaizer was not out for 48 with Santhosh Jr scoring 30 and Riyaz 15. For NGC, Jubail Shahul took 3/21 and Latheef took 3/30.

In reply NGC opener Mansoor and Ashraf played sensible and put on 41 runs for the first wicket. After the Mansoor got out, latheef too got out early, and NGC lost two good wickets in a quick succession. But on the one end Ashraf played steadily and took his team to a easy victory in the 16th over. Ashraf was not out for 68, while Anees scored 12 with Aif U K pitching in with 16. For CBC, Azeez took 2/14. 

DCA president Ashok, chief guests, Ivan Pinto, Gopal Shetty, Victor Saldanha, and DCA vice-presidents Mushtaq, Eithesham, DCA umpire panel in-charge, Raj Gopal, DCA treasurer, K Sharief, DCA members Iqbal Zamil, Ummer, George, Noor, Iqbal Jr and Noora witnessed the finals.

DCA general secretary Mohammed Siraj, thanked all the sponsors, participating teams/members for the excellent support through-out the tournament.