Media Release
Dammam, Jun 29: Indian XI defeated Sri Lankan XI by 4 wickets in the Asian Premier League to lift the Riyaz Ahmed Memorial Trophy 2011, played recently at Rakha Grounds near Dhahran Exhibitions Dammam. The tournament was sponsored by Saleh Ayed Balharith Est - (SAB) Al Khobar and organized by Noor of Asia XI.
This was the first-ever tournament conducted in the history of eastern region of Saudi Arabia, where four teams of different nations, with players selected from the eastern region participated. Indian XI was lead by Salahuddin Salman, Sri Lankan XI by Mohammed Rifdi, Pakistan XI by Niyaz and Bangladesh XI by Anwar.
In the first round robin matches Indian XI defeated Pakistan and Bangladesh and Sri Lankan XI defeated Pakistan and Bangladesh XI. Indian XI and Sri Lankan XI entered the finals and Pakistan XI and Bangladesh XI played for 3rd and 4th place accordingly.
In the finals Sri Lankan captain Rifdi opted to bat first after winning the toss. Rajeev and Hamza opened the innings for Sri Lankan XI and for Indian XI captain Salahuddin Salman opened the bowling. In the 4th ball of the first over Rajeev was bowled by Salman for 1. Hakeem joined Hamza but failed to build up partnership as he was caught by Afwan for 9 off the bowling of Zubair.
In Salman's second over Sri Lankan XI suffered a big blow losing the vital wickets of Hamza and Nuwan in two consecutive deliveries. Sri Lankan XI were 24 for 4 in the 3rd over. At this crucial movement all-rounder Prabhath and Rizlan took the responsibility and played magnificently to put on a valuable 30 runs for the 5th wicket. After Rizlan got out for 21, Sri Lankan XI lost their captain Rifdi and Rifkan cheaply. Sri Lankan XI batsmen found it hard to score against the fine bowling and fielding performances by the Indian XI. Later it was only Prabath who demonstrated superb batting and took his team to a commendable position of 133. Prabatha scored a valuable 44 runs.
For Indian XI captain Salman took 3/21, Zubair, Muthalib took two wickets each and Alam, Iqbal took one each. Wicket keeper Javed took four magnificent catches.
In reply, Indian XI opened the innings with Anees and Javed. Anees was caught by Rifdi off the bowling of Murshid for 2. All-rounder Zubair came to the crease to join Javed and both played steadily carrying their innings at the required run rate, adding 36 runs for the second wicket. Zubair smashed 23 in 13 balls. After the fall of Zubair's wicket Imran joined Javed and took the responsibility of the Indian XI innings. Indians were 60/4 in the 10th over.
Javed scored 22 runs. At this stage Alam and Imran played magnificently to put on 40 runs for the 5th wicket. After the fall on Imran, good striker of the ball Mutahlib smashed Sri Lankan bowlers by for 22 in 12 balls and took his team to an easy victory. Indians achieved the target in the 18th over with 4 wickets in hand. Imran made 31 and Alam remained unbeaten at 24.
For Sri Lankan XI, Nuwan took 2/20 and Murshid, Sanjeeva, and Hamza took 1 wicket each.
Muthalib of Indian XI was awarded the man of the match in the finals for his superb batting and bowing performances.
The tournament's best performances were:
Anees of Indian XI – best batsman
Nuwan of Sri Lankan XI – best bowler
Afwan of Indian XI – best outfielder
Javed of Indian XI – best wicket keeper
Zubair of Indian XI was awarded man of the tournament for his brilliant batting and bowling performances throughout the tournament.
In the match between Pakistan Xi and Bangladesh XI played for the third and fouth spot, Pakistan XI won by 38 runs.
After the finals, prize distribution ceremony started with the recitation of the Qura'n.
Saleh Ayed Balharith Al Najrani, president of SAB, and also chief guest, Mohammed Ahmed, CEO of DUU Co, Syed Navid Ghani, president of IBF, Syed Javid Ghani, VP of IBF, Muddasir Rayhan, operations manager SAB, Ummer Farooq, administration manager SAB, Zakaullah Khan, finance director SAB, Shakeel Ur Rehaman, operations manager SAB, Mehathab Alam, president, Devidag Cricket Association, Jubail, Charley T, Sri Lankan Embassy Representative to the KSA, Ashok Patel, president, Dammam Cricket Association, Abul Hasan, general secretary of EPCA, Gopal Shetty of MASA, Mohammed Haneef Patel of Al Anwaar Trading, Mohammed Iqbal Zamil, Eithesham, Sharief colts and Mohammed Ashraf of Coastal Digest were present.
Syed Navid Ghani in his speech thanked the sponsors, congratulated the winners and the runners up and all the participating teams. He praised the efforts taken by the organizing committee and thanked the volunteers and media reporters for encouraging and promoting the game of cricket.
EPCA general secretary Abul Hassan and Charley, patron of DCA lauded the efforts taken by Noor of Asia XI for organizing such a wonderful tournament first the time in the history of the eastern region.
Salahuddin Salman, sponsor of the tournament awarded mementos to all the guests.
Chief guest and president of SAB Saleh Ayed Balharith Al Najrani distributed trophies to the winners and runners-up.
A plaque of appreciation was given to the organizing committee, umpires, scorers and team managers for their efforts in conducting APL.
The winners and runners-up were also presented with Individual trophies.
Indian XI - S Salman (C) Javeed (VC) Muthalib, Iqbal, Afwan, Imran, Zubair, Abdul, Alam, Ansaf, Anis, Sachin, Afthab, Khaleel, Asif UK, Santhosh Ali, and Ashok (team manager)
Srilaknan XI: Rifdi (C) Prabhath (VC) Rizwan, Murshid, Sanjeeva, Shamil, Hakeem, Veeragale, Nuwan, Anura, Ali, Nizlan, Rifgan, Hamza, Jagan, Rajeeva and Sharief(team manager).
Pakistan XI: Niyaz (C) Javeed (VC), osman, Khashif, Thahir, Farhad, Imran, Obaid, Babar, Ali, Dildar, Jabbar, Khashif Jr, Osman Jr, Hafeez, Afridi, and Iqbal Zamil (team manager)
Bangladeshi XI: Anwar (C) Ridaya (VC), Dilawar, Muneer, Nazrul, Sharief, Rana, Waseem, Suhail, Ameen, Ismail, Akther, Amin, Mustafa, Ramzan, Moin and Syed (team manager) .
Official umpires: Raj Gopal, Abdul Mannan, Ummer Khushaim, Ummer
Javed Sayyed compered the programme and Mohammed Siraj proposed the vote of thanks.