By Aijaz Ahmed Khan

JEDDAH — Naseem Al-Zahra will meet Mindstech in the final of the ACE Travel Saudi Cup (Morning) Cricket Championship, sponsored & supported by the Ace Travel & Tours and organized by Jeddah Cricket Association (JCA).

In the first semifinal, a well balanced team Mindstech beat strong contenders Makkah Kings by 6 wickets, while dark horses Naseem Al-Zahra defeated a fighting Al-Burj by 8 wickets in the second semis.

Mindstech vs. Makkah Kings

Electing to bat first, Makkah Kings scored a respectable total of 175 in 19.1 overs. Dashing batsman Aamir Wahla scored a magnificent 86 in just 39 balls. He hit eight hits to the fence and blasted 5 towering sixes. Other contributors were Omar Shafiq (23) and Burhan (20). Sardar (3-32) and Shad Mohamed (2-28) were the wicket-takers for Mindstech.

In reply, Mindstech reached 176-4 in 15.3 overs. Opener Shad Mohamed Khan did not impress with the bat. Anwar Pathan bowled Furqan. Abdul Samad scored 54 valuable runs in just 21 balls and Khalid remained unbeaten on 47 in 33 balls with eight hits to the fence, while Fahad and Bilal contributed an identical 21 runs. Umair and Abdul Wahab had one wicket each for 24 runs.

Man of Match: Abdul Samad of Mindstech.

Naseem Al-Zahra vs. AlBurj

Al-Burj, batting first, was all out for 183 in 19.5 overs. Opener Shaani scored a quickfire 81 in 46 balls with 6 fours and 6 sixes. Gowhar played well to make 41 useful runs off 25 balls with six hits to the fence. Usman took 4-33, Fayaz 3-48 and Faisal 2-29.

In reply, Naseem Al-Zahra batsmen chased the target easily as they made 184-2 in 16.3 overs. Skipper Qamar Javed led from the front as he scored a match-winning 68 in 27 balls. He hit 10 boundaries and 3 sixes. His partner Mohammad Jani scored 50 in 35 balls. The openers added 110 runs in 9 overs and made things easy to victory. Sulaiman contributed 42 in 25 balls with six boundaries and a six. The second wicket partnership produced 60 runs. Tahir and Atta Ur Rehman took one wicket each for 28 and 51 runs, respectively.

Man of the Match: Usman of Naseem Al-Zahra.