RCA and EPCA share honor in the Alhamrani FUCHS intercity event
RCA Patron XI Captain Nadeem Babar receiving the winning trophy
Four matches were played between RCA (Riyadh Cricket Association) and EPCA (Eastern Province Cricket Association) as part of the historical intercity event which was sponsored by Alhamrani FUCHS Petroleum. A large number of people visited the EPCA grounds to witness the intercity matches.
In the first 40-over match, RCA President XI beat EPCA President XI by 16 runs. RCA President XI won the toss and elected to bat first. Openers Nouman Asghar and Abdul Wahab started well and had a partnership of 118 for the first wicket. Abdul Wahab scored 64 and Nouman made 47. After the century opening partnership, RCA President XI lost wickets at regular intervals and was all out for 284. Rizwan Manzoor held the innings together in the middle overs and scored 63 runs. Omar Zafar also played well for his 28. For EPCA President XI, Sadiq grabbed 3 wickets while Osman Ghani and Tajamal Hayat got 2 wickets each. Chasing the target, EPCA President XI was all out for 268. Safiullah was the top scorer with 64 runs. Other notable scorers included Tajamal Hayat 49, Sadiq Rafiq 33 and Murad Khan 26. Abdul Wahab took 4 wickets and Shoaib got 2 wickets. Latafat, Rizwan Manzoor and Sajid Khan picked 1 wicket each. Abdul Wahab was declared Man of the Match for his all round performance.
RCA President XI Captain Omar Zafar receiving the winning trophy
In the second 40-over match, EPCA XI beat RCA XI by 6 wickets. Winning the toss and electing to bat first RCA XI started aggressively with openers Nadeem Babar and Nasir Abbasi looking in great touch. They had an opening partnership of 57. After the fall of Nasir Abbasi who scored 21, RCA XI lost wickets regularly. Nadeem Babar scored 55, Muzaffar Majeed played a lone hand in the middle order and remained unbeaten on 54. Rizwan Qayyum was the pick of the bowlers for EPCA XI and took 4 wickets. Khawar Sohail and Nasir Khan also chipped in with 2 wickets each while Asif Mughal and Bilal Butt got 1 wicket each. RCA XI was all out for 228 in 37.5 overs. Chasing a modest target of 229, EPCA XI lost their first wicket early, but Monawar Chaudhry (89) and Sohrab (66 not out) held the innings together for EPCA XI. Rizwan Qayyum and Ahmed Rauf also played well and scored 21 and 24 respectively. In the end, EPCA XI achieved the target in 36 overs. Kamran Hadi took 2 wickets for RCA XI while Nadeem Babar and Arsalan Rana got 1 wicket each. Monawar Chaudhry was declared Man of the Match.
RCA XI
In the first T20 match, RCA Patron XI beat EPCA XI by 18 runs. RCA Patron XI batted first and scored mammoth 244/9 in 20 overs. RCA Patron XI openers Nadeem Babar and Nasir Abbasi started aggressively and gave a blistering start to their team scoring 89 in first 6 overs. Nadeem Babar scored 45 of 21 balls and Nasir Abbasi made 38 of 18 balls. All RCA Patron XI batsmen played aggressively and took the score to 244. Fahad Malik scored 36 of 19 balls, Irshad 27 of 20 balls, Imran Younous remained unbeaten on 19 of 12 balls. Chasing a huge target, EPCA XI openers Shahbaz and Salman also started aggressively and took 26 runs of the first over bowled by Ibrar Ul Haq, but EPCA lost wickets at regular intervals and in the end was all out for 226. Waqas scored 53, Shahbaz 50 and Waheed 32. Zahid Mir of RCA Patron XI bowled excellently and took 5 wickets. He was declared Man of the Match for his great bowling performance.
RCA PRESIDENT XI
In the second T20 match, EPCA Youth XI beat RCA Youth XI by 6 wickets. RCA Youth XI batted first and could only score 134 in 20 overs. Iftikhar was the highest scorer for RCA Youth XI who remained not out on 40, Abdul Salam scored 35 and Kausar made 17. Danyal, Hamza and Muneer got 1 wicket each for EPCA Youth XI. RCA Youth XI bowled and fielded very well and made the target difficult for EPCA Youth XI. EPCA Youth XI got the target in the last over of their innings. Iftikhar took 2 wickets while Abdul Salam and Kausar got 1 each.
RCA YOUTH XI
On the occasion of the traditional reception dinner, shields were interchanged between RCA Officials and EPCA officials. RCA CEO Mr. Nadeem Babar presented shields to EPCA Chairman Mr. Abdulaziz Al Naimee and EPCA President Mr. Farhat Mahmood. RCA General Secretary Mr. Nasir Abbasi presented shield to the EPCA General Secretary Mr. Marghoob Ahmed Khan. EPCA also presented shields to RCA President Mr. Tariq Javed, RCA CEO Mr. Nadeem Babar and RCA General Secretary Nasir Abbasi. Speaking on the occasion, RCA CEO Mr. Nadeem Babar has said that RCA and EPCA are two biggest cricket associations in the Kingdom and their cooperation is long lasting. Prize Distribution Ceremony was also held where winner, runner up and individual trophies were presented. RCA Senior Vice President Mr. Abdul Karim Khan thanked EPCA Executive Committee members for their hospitality during the tour.
