ERCA T20 season 2018-19: Some extravagant display of cricket

After the successful launch of cricket in ERCA, cricketing season is flourishing with some extravagant display of cricket by all the teams participating. Every team is fighting for the ultimate goal and eying towards becoming the 1st Ever T20 Champions of Eastern Region Cricket Association. The sense of competition amongst the teams, combined with humble sportsman spirit among the players is creating a synergical environment in which everything comes together for playing good all round cricket.

A total of five matches were played in the 2nd week of first ever Al Tuwairqi T20 Cup with three matches being conducted in the first session and two matches in the second half of the day.

In the first match of 2nd week, Deccan Blues C.C opted to bat after winning the toss. However, they were unable to put up a fighting total and ended up with 114/7 in their alloted overs due to some excellent bowling from Al Tuwairqi C.C bowlers. Ibrahim Syed was the top scorer with 30(27) runs. Azeem Khan & Naveed Tahir were the pick of the bowlers by taking 2 wickets each for their team. In reply Al Tuwairqi C.C managed to chase down the total in 15.5 overs and 5 wickets in hand. Kashif Ashraf played an unbeatable knock of 39*(28) runs along with Aftab Magre who scored quick 33(20) runs making sure that their team crosses the line. Kashif Ashraf was awarded the man of the match for his brilliant performance with the bat. 

The 2nd match was played between Eastern Arabia KLV C.C versus Kits C.C, in which Eastern Arabia KLV C.C managed to put up a fighting total of 166/9 after winning the toss. Afwan Mohammad and Nakhuda Tabrez were the pick of batsmen, scoring 34(15) & 29(29) respectively. Whereas Kiran Gorizilla and Naushad Ali bagged 2 wickets each for Kites C.C. In response to 166/9, Kites C.C only managed to score 88/9 in their alloted 20 overs, due to some magnificient bowling display from Zafarullah Zubair who bagged 5 wickets for just 15 runs. Man of the match was awarded to Zafarullah Zubair for his 5 wickets haul.

The 3rd match was played between SAB Warriors C.C versus Blue Star C.C, in which SAB Warriors C.C batting first managed to score 136/6 in 20 overs. Mohammad Iqbal was the top scorer with 39(34) runs. Altaf Sheikh and Ashrauddin managed to grab 2 wickets each for Blue Star C.C. In reply Blue Star C.C showed a steady performance and chased down the total in the last over with 5 balls to spare. Abdul Naseer MK was awarded the man of the match for his unbeaten 56*(50), by making sure that his team crosses the line in style.

The 4th match was played between Hyderabad Green C.C and Abbottabad C.C. Batting first Hyderabad C.C managed to score 166 all out in their 20 overs, with Naqash Abbasi putting up a good display of batting by scoring 38(29) runs. Mohammad Manzoor was pick of the bowlers from Abbotabad Tigers C.C by taking 3 wickets for 26 runs. In reply the Tigers from Abbottabad were not so competitive against the disciplined bowling of Hyderabad C.C and could only manage to score 112 runs before being getting bowled out in just 16.3 overs. Wasim Khan was the top scorer from Abbottabad Tigers C.C by scoring 38 runs on just 20 deliveries. Faisal Azeem managed to grab 3 wickets for just 13 runs in his alloted quota of 4 overs. However, Sunil Bangalore is the name to remember as he chipped 4 cruicial wickets of Abbottabad Tigers C.C and was also awarded man of the match.

Last but not the least, the 5th match was played between Pasha Eleven C.C and Baker Hughes GE C.C. Pasha Eleven C.C, elected to bat first after winning the toss. They managed to put up a good total of 175/8 in their allotted 20 overs, with their batsmen showing some good batting skills. Moinuddin Khaja was the top scorer with 34(25) runs along with his team mate Mohammad Waqaruddin who scored a brisk knock of 30(22) runs as well. Umair Butt and Umar Farooq were the top bowlers from Baker Huges GE C.C by picking 2 wickets each. In reply Baker Hughes GE C.C was able to score 152/9 in their alloted 20 overs. Umar Farooq fought brilliantly against some good bowling from Pasha Eleven, and managed to score 56(38) runs. Abid Bashir grabbed 2 wickets for just 20 runs. However Nazeer Hussain bagged 3 cruicial wickets and was awarded the man of the match for this game.

Overall it was a weekend full of cricket where the spectators were entertained with some good all round cricket and more to come in the next weekend.

Also Read: Saudi Arabia | ERCA T20 season 2018-19: Highlights from week 1