By: Syed Mussarat Khalil, Journalist – Jeddah: The Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) held its prize distribution ceremony for the Challenge Cup Phase-1 on September 4, 2024, after the successful conclusion of the quarter-finals and semi-finals. The tournament, which saw intense competition, culminated in four final matches played on August 30, 2024, at the WPCA Eskan Complex, with eight teams from four divisions advancing to the finals.
The prize presentation event took place at the Rosemond Hotel, where WPCA representatives Sadiqul Islam and Sohail Shah warmly welcomed the chief guest of the evening, Saad Al-Dajani, General Manager of SCPI. Other distinguished guests included Irshad Ahmed, owner of Zam Zam Restaurant, Abdul Mohsin Al-Shuraim, Head of Safety and Security at IsDB, Sahal Al-Marwai, Chairman of the Staff Social Club at IsDB, and Ramzan Mohammed Idress, Station Manager at Baladia Jeddah.
During the ceremony, all the honored guests pledged their continued support for WPCA’s initiatives. They also participated in presenting trophies, service awards, and certificates to the winning and runner-up teams, as well as to the umpires and scorers who contributed to the tournament’s success.
The event, meticulously organized by Majid Siddiqui, was smoothly conducted with the support of Mirza Kashif Baig, who served as the stage manager throughout. Key support for the event was provided by Jaweed Ahmed, Rafiullah Mohammed, Faraz Kidwai, Zubair Sunasara, and Zafar Iqbal, while Alam Khan handled the video technology for the evening.
The ceremony concluded on a high note with a vote of thanks, marking the end of a memorable day for the WPCA and the participating teams.
Match Highlights:
Afternoon Premier: Al-Saudi XI emerged victorious, defeating Abu Dawood Trading by 6 wickets. Abu Dawood batted first, scoring 109 runs in 18 overs, with Arif Gill (27) and Aamir Waqas (30) as the notable contributors. Al-Saudi’s bowlers dominated, with Nadeem Sa’ad, Hyder Ali, and Junaid taking 2 wickets each. In reply, Al-Saudi XI chased the target comfortably, losing only 4 wickets. Omardeen’s knock of 46, featuring 5 sixes and 3 fours, earned him the man of the match award.
Afternoon Blue: BBB secured a 9-run win over Alhamrani Fuchs. Batting first, BBB put up 173 runs, with significant contributions from Amer Wala (43), Shehzaman (41), and Azhar (40). Zaheer of Fuchs took 3 wickets for 22 runs. In response, Alhamrani Fuchs fell short, managing 164 for the loss of 6 wickets. Adnan (64) and Bilawal (62) led the charge, but Suhail’s 4 for 31 secured the win for BBB, earning him the man of the match title.
Morning Blue: OCSCL defeated IsDB Blue by 35 runs. OCSCL posted 167 runs despite early setbacks, with contributions from Mohammad Ismail (27), Mohammad Shaukat (33), and Hidaitullah (40). In reply, IsDB Blue struggled against OCSCL’s bowlers, with only Irfan Ayazuddin’s valiant knock of 72 standing out. Mansoor of OCSCL claimed 5 for 29, securing the victory and the man of the match award.
Morning Prime: Apex Freight triumphed over Black Hawks by 75 runs. Apex’s Mohammed Sulaiman led the charge with an unbeaten 86, helping his team post a formidable total of 212 runs. In response, Black Hawks were bowled out for 133, with Shafaqat (45) and Arsalan (36) providing resistance. Apex’s Abdul Rehman took 3 for 10, while Mohammed Sulaiman was named man of the match for his stellar performance.
The WPCA Challenge Cup Phase-1 concluded with competitive spirit and sportsmanship, setting the stage for further cricketing action in the region.
