EPCA hosted the Historical 36th InterCity Cricket Tournament.
RCA wrap up the 36th InterCity Mohammed Anwar Shaheed Memorial Cricket Carnival Event defeating EPCA By 3-2.
Prepared by: Mohammed Azeem
EPCA hosted the Historical 36th InterCity 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 President XI Vs EPCA Stallions 40 Overs (EPCA -Ground 7)
Captains: 1. Raja Ejaz (RCA President XI ) and 2. Moiz Imran (EPCA Stallions)
Umpires: 1. Abdul Rauf (EPCA) 2. Qassim (RCA)
The 2nd Encounter of 40 overs was played between RCA President XI Headed by experienced Skipper Raja Ejaz and EPCA Stallions’ young dynamic Moiz Imran, winning the Toss EPCA Stallions elected to bat first. The decision to bat first was outfired by Syed Ishfaq of RCA President XI was as he got rid of the opener Sohail Manzoor on a lethal yorker in the 2nd over of the innings, however, his other partner Haziq khan64(45 balls, 8 x4s and 2x6s) has a share of luck as catches were dropped at regular intervals build a partnership of 109 with the season young find Aquibullah 43(46 balls, 4 x4s).
Raja Ejaz and Coach Mohammed Azim lifted the team morals and kept rotating the bowlers and back the team resulting in success for Tahir who dismissed other openers Haziq Khan, Faisal khan got rid of dangerous Aquibullah, Fahad Majeed spun his web and made scoring difficult for other batsmen but Syed Muhammad Ahsan Naqvi 75(64 balls, 4x4s and 2 x6s) added some respite from one end valuable partnership with Skipper Imran Moiz 33(32 balls, 4 x4s), Zeeshan Afzal 25(16 balls, 3x4s) piling up 336/8 in 40 overs. Syed Ishfaq was the most successful bowler with 3/59, Imtiaz Ahmed was unlucky as many catches were dropped off his bowling grabbed 1/76, Fahad Majeed, Tahir Shafique and Faisal Khan grabbed 1 wicket each.
RCA President XI team briefing Coach Azim and Skipper went ahead with the plans and sent both left-hand opening batsmen who were in sublime touch and had asked the top 4 batsmen to finish the game and the team started with a bang as opener Usman was in sublime touch hitting 1st ball for 6.
He took the attack on the Opposition bowlers scoring quickfire 75(34 balls, 9x4s and 4x6s), Usman’s knock was such blitz Kreig as 48 runs were piled in 2 overs, Usman took the opposition spearhead for 31 runs in the 2nd over of the innings sending a strong message and build an opening partnership of 138 runs in 10.3 overs with his opening partner Adnan Saleem 78(47 balls, 11x4s and 2 x6s). Adnan Saleem builds a partnership with the cool and smiling Bilal Wani of 57 runs before he played a rash shot at a score of 195 and was dismissed at 16.2 overs.
The experience superman behind wickets Kannan Gopi 61*(52 balls, 8 x4s) joined Bilal Wani 105*(64 balls, 12 x4s and 3 x 6s) and both had an unbeaten partnership of 144 runs whacking the bowlers at will and demoralising any brisk moment for the opposition to come back in the game and morale-boosting 8 wickets victory in 32.5 overs thus avenging the last year defeat which they dominated 95% and lost in the last 5% of the game. Only Bharat 1/41 and Mohammed PERVEZ Khan 1/58 could have some respect in the wickets columns as all other bowlers were taken to task by RCA President XI Batsmen.
Bilal Wani Was Adjudged Man of the Match for his unbeaten 105.
RCA convoy with this victory won the 36th Inter-State 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.
