Prepared by: Mohammed Azeem
EPCA hosted the Historical 36th Regional Interstate Cricket Carnival named after the RCA Chairman Mohammed Anwar Shaheed Mega event between EPCA and RCA on 25th March 2022 at EPCA Grounds.
Mr Nadeem Babbar (CEO RCA) and RCA executive committee express gratitude on behalf of RCA Patron in Chief HRH Major Dr General Prince Abdulaziz Bin Nasser Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, RCA Executive and Selection committee for organising and hosting the event in a spectacular way.
Mr Farhad Mehmood (EPCA President) and EPCA executive committee welcome the RCA envoy and express his condolences to Mr Nadeem Babbar (CEO – RCA) on the shocking demise of his elder brother Mr Mohammed Anwar (Chairman RCA) and a large crowd had assembled on the grounds, supplication for the deceased were offered and verses of Holy Quran were read, and the tournament resumed officially.
4 teams from RCA and 5 Teams from EPCA battled out in 2 x 40 overs, 2 x T20 and 1 X 30 Youth Match, the association’s Historical events motive behind organizing such events is to promote friendship, strengthen the long bond, relationship and give opportunities to all players to showcase their talents, skills at the regional state level and knocking the door for Selections in the National Team. The series is played each year on a home and Away basis and last 2 years RCA had hosted the event and this second consecutive year EPCA has organised it.
1. RCA Chairman XI vs EPCA Commanders (T20 – 2 Matches EPCA Ground No 08)
Captains: 1. Mohsin Rasool (RCA Chairman XI) and 2. Mirza Farhath Baig (EPCA Commanders)
Umpires: 1. (EPCA) 2. Zeeshan Akram (RCA)
Morning 1st T20
EPCA Commanders XI winning the toss elected to bat first which proved heavy for them as the skipper Mirza Farhath was dismissed by the bowling of Nadeem Jarrah in 2 overs, Nasser Khan dismissed the other opener Vasim Izhar Shaik 27(23 balls, 3 x4s) in 5th Over at total score of 48. Saqib Khan 27(23 balls, 3x4s), Danish Irfan 61(40 balls, 6x4s and 1 x6) and Syed Qamar 21(20 Balls 1×4 and 1×6) offered some resistance to add a respectable total of 174/10 in 20 overs. It was Waqar Al Huda deadly spell of 4 overs 23 runs and 4 wickets along with Nasser Khan’s 2 wickets which had done damage to RCA Chairman XI and halted the EPCA Commanders as they struggled throughout the innings. Bilal khan, Nadeem Jarrah and Innamullah provided the death touch by picking 1 wicket each.
RCA Chairman XI Started in style as Opener Mohammed Shakeel 37(24 balls, 5 x4s) and Manzoor Shah 47(26 balls, 9x4s) started with a bang piling a partnership of 84 runs in 7.1 over as Manzoor was run out. Mohammed Shakeel then stitches a partnership of 32 runs with Saqib Jutt 55(25 balls, 7x4s and 2x6s) before being dismissed by Mirza Farhath. Saqib Jutt then had 59 runs stand with skipper Mohsin Rasool 18(14 balls, 3x4s) before being dismissed by Mirza Farhath at a team score of 169 in 14.4 overs. Fahd Mohammed’s unbeaten 6*(5 balls, 1×4) then saw the team home in 15.4 overs winning by 7 wickets in a one-sided encounter.
Waqar Al Huda was Adjudged Man of the Match for his 4 wickets.
2. RCA Chairman XI vs EPCA United Army (T20 – 2 Matches EPCA Ground No 08)
Captains: 1. Mohsin Rasool (RCA Chairman XI) and 2. Muhammad Naseem (EPCA Commanders)
Umpires: 1. (EPCA) 2. Zeeshan Akram (RCA)
Afternoon 2nd T20
EPCA United Army won the toss and ask RCA Chairman XI to bat first which proved very costly as RCA President XI Openers Saqib Jutt 17(13 balls, 1×4) and Manzoor Shah 58(42) piled up 46 runs in 4.5 overs as Saqib Jutt was dismissed by Raheef. Manzoor shah and Mohammed Shakeel21(15 balls, 1×4 and 2 x6s) then stitch 48 runs stand for 2nd wicket when Shakeel was out caught and bowl by Raheef. Skipper Mohsin Rasool 4(5 balls) was dismissed by Raheef. Mohammed Fahad 18 (8 balls, 4x4s) then accelerated but was bowled by Imran Asharaf and late cameos by Inam Ullah Khan 21(12 balls, 3x4s) and Navas CP 15(14 balls, 1x4s) gave a respectable total of 189/8 to chase in 20 overs.
Raheef of EPCA United Army grabbed 3 for 34 and Muhammad Arshad 3 for 35 causing the majority of damage to the mighty batting order of EPCA, Chairman XI.
EPCA United army started with a bang as both Openers Ihsan Ullah 66(29 balls, 9x4s and 3x6s) and Mis Hassab 55(45 Balls, 7x4s and 1 x6) piled up 109 for 1st wicket in 9.2 overs, Waqar Al Huda man with golden arm provided the 1st breakthrough despite playing with agony dismissed Ihsan Ullah and Bilal Ahmed. Manzoor shah then got rid of other openers Mir Hassan and Muhammad Naseem, but it was too late as they reached 17.3 overs for a loss of 4 wickets. EPCA chairman XI’s change in strategy in bowling and batting backfired after a comprehensive win in the morning.
Ihsan Ullah of EPCA United Army was awarded Man of the Match for his explosive 66 runs.
RCA convoy with this victory won the 36th InterCity Mohammed Anwar Saheed Cricket Carnival by 3 -2 and thus the championship of the Mega Cricket Carnival as well-wishers, cricket lovers from across the globe witness the action live on social media platforms and messages keep pounding and phone calls kept buzzing till Sunday over the Historical achievement by RCA.
The Glittering prize distribution ceremony started with Prayers for the Shaheed RCA Chairman Mohammed Anwar and holy recitation of the Quran with Speeches by the EPCA President Mr Farhat Mahmood, Welcoming the sponsors SAQ representatives. Mr Nadeem Babbar (CEO-RCA) expresses his vote of thanks for the hospitality and arrangements done by EPCA.
EPCA and RCA Executive committee members, CEO and President exchange momentous on behalf of both regional councils, the sponsors SAQ and all the top performers, ground staff, umpires, Scorers, Tournament Organizers were rewarded with Trophies, Medals, Mobile phones and EarPods and vote of thanks was expressed by both counterparts.
RCA Senior Vice-President Nasir Abbasi and Executive Members, Managers, Coaches, Captains and Players took this opportunity to thank RCA Patreon in Chief HRH Major Dr General Prince Abdulaziz Bin Nasser Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, RCA Executive and Selection committee for providing a platform and making the arrangements for players to perform and also took this opportunity to thank their EPCA Counterparts, the sponsors, officials, players for providing a festive atmosphere.
