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 XI VS EPCA Apollos – 40 OVERS: (Ground No 6 )
Captains: 1. Nadeem Babar (RCA XI ) and 2. Kashif Abbas (EPCA Apollos)
Umpires: 1. Raheel (EPCA) 2. Mahboob (RCA)
RCA XI team under the guidance and captainship of Mr Nadeem Babar won the Toss and elected to bat first and were cruising with 37 runs from the opening pair of Kashif Mirza and Nasir Abbasi who was dismissed on the last ball of the 4th over to a superb catch in slip by Afaq of the bowling of Atif ur Rehman. Kashif Mirza then wage a lonely battle of piling up 164 (116 balls, 22x4s and 1 x6) as he kept on losing partners at regular intervals. Kashif had built some crucial partnerships with Nadeem Babar of 24, with Mudassar 52 runs, 37 runs with Hisham, 38 runs with Mateen, 44 runs with Kamran Hadi. Mudassar Iqbal 32(25), Mohammed Farooq 19(9) and Ubaidullah 18(17) were the players who ensured a respectable total of 298/10 in 38 overs. For EPCA Atif Ur Rahman grabbed 4 wickets giving 40 runs, Muhammad Irfan Hussain Grabbed 3 wickets and Zain Awan 2/55 were the successful bowlers who restricted mighty RCA XI below 300.
EPC Apollos started their chase with a solid opening partnership of 125 runs in 17.3 overs as Imran Arif 62(54 balls 8 x4s and 1 x6) was dismissed bowled by Ubaidullah whilst his other partner Skipper Kashif Abbas went on to score 108 (82 balls 15 x4s) played a match-winning knock with the partnership of 2nd wicket with Afaq 57(37 balls 2 x4s and 2 x6s) of 92 runs as he was caught of Mohammed Farooq of the bowling of Iftikhar Chitto. RCA XI known for the craftmanship, never give up attitude came up with some strategies and ensure the task is not easy as 81 were required in 84 balls, the skipper keep rotating bowlers and brought himself in as well and provided the breakthrough and ultimately lost in 36.3 Overs as Saad Khan unbeaten 35*(27 balls, 2 x4s) played with patience and temperament to see his team home as he kept losing partners at other ends. For RCA XI Samiullah Baltistani grabbed 2 wickets for 39 runs in 6.3 overs, Iftikhar Ali 1/39, Ubaidullah 1/36, Nadeem Babar 1/49 and Mateen 1/63 were the successful bowler. Kashif Abbas of EPCA Apollos was declared Man of the Match for his 108 and 1 wicket.
Kashif Mirza of RCA XI was adjudged the Player of the Series and was awarded a mobile phone for his great knock of 164. 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 Patron 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.
