RCA remained unbeaten against MCL in the Banque Saudi Al Fransi Intercity
RCA (Riyadh Cricket Association) teams visited Medina to play intercity matches against MCL (Medina Cricket League). This intercity event was sponsored by Banque Saudi Al Fransi and Crown Steel. Two exciting matches were played between RCA and MCL teams.
In the T20 match, RCA XI has won the toss and elected to bat first. RCA XI lost the wicket of their opener Irfan Mushtaq in the very first over, but Ibrar Ul Haq batted superbly and scored 96 of 33 balls. He was ably supported by Omar Zafar 32, Ayaz Mohammed 32, Abdul Wahab 27 and Sajid Khan 26. RCA XI was all out for 254 in the 20th over. Omar, Afzal and Khurram took 2 wickets each for MCL. Chasing a huge target, MCL could score 195/6 in the stipulated 20 overs. Notable contributors for MCL included Nadeem 47, Younous 35, Ataullah 27 and Omar 25. Arsalan Rana was the pick of the bowlers from RCA XI and took 3/39. Sajid Khan and Ibrar Ul Haq also bowled well and took 2 and 1 wicket respectively. RCA XI won the match by 59 runs. Ibrar Ul Haq was declared Man of the Match.
In the 35-over match, RCA XI beat MCL XI by a margin of 100 runs. Batting first RCA XI started well with openers Nadeem Babar and Ibrar Ul Haq looking in great touch. Ibrar was the first wicket to fall when his individual score was 34. After the loss of the first wicket, Nadeem Babar and Nasir Abbasi played brilliantly and had a huge partnership of 194. Nasir Abbasi made 136 and Nadeem Babar 86. Abdul Wahab (10) was the only other batsman who entered in the double figures. RCA XI scored 298/9 in 35 overs. For MCL, Afzaal Abbasi took 4 wickets, Ajmal got 3 and Afzal 2. MCL XI started well with openers Ejaz and Omar, but after the loss of the openers, the rest of the batting lineup could not play up to the expectations. Ejaz was the top scorer with 68 runs. Kashif made 32 and Omar 23. After a great innings of 86, Nadeem Babar also performed well with the ball and took 3 wickets. Muzaffar and Abdul Salam also picked up 2 wickets each while Ibrar, Javed and Arsalan got 1 wicket each. Nasir Abbasi was declared Man of the Match.
Prize Distribution Ceremony was held at the end of the event. Speaking on this occasion, MCL President Naim Majid has thanked RCA for visiting Medina and reiterated the fact that MCL and RCA will work closely to promote Cricket in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. CEO RCA Nadeem Babar assured full support to MCL to promote Cricket in the region.
RCA XI has played 14 intercity matches against WPCA, YACA, JCA, EPCA, Al Qassim and MCL in the Season 2012-2013 under the captaincy of Nadeem Babar and won 12 out of 14 matches. President RCA Tariq Javed, Patron RCA Mohammed Anwar and Senior Vice President RCA Abdul Kareem Khan congratulated RCA team and the skipper for the wonderful record in the intercity matches.
