Saudi Arabia | ERCA T20 season 2018-19: Highlights from week 1

Syed Danish Irfan
October 22, 2018

In Saudi Arabia, where expats are working day and night, cricket can be the sports that bring them together every week, where people from several countries and races play this beautiful game. And this past week, history was witnessed when first ever delivery was bowled by Zahid Akhtar of Abbotabad Tigers C C during the 1st ever T20 tournament organized under the superb banner of Eastern Region Cricket Association (ERCA). It is a banner for every cricket lover in the region, where cricket is played in the best of its spirit amongst all the players.

Mr Abdul Latif, CEO of ERCA along with Sayed Majaz Qadri (President ERCA) and Mr Imran Rasheed (VP ERCA), have put up a great effort in providing land for the grounds and making it fertile for the cricket.

A whole team of people under the  supervision of Mr. Tajamal Hayat the General Secretary and Ashraf Shiekh the supporting figure of ERCA has worked effortlessly, to make the grounds as smooth as possible so that the teams would be able to put up an extra ordinary show of cricket.

And exactly the same happened during the first game of ERCA, Al Tuwairqi T20 Cup, which was played between Eastern Arabia C.C and Abbotabad Tigers C.C, where Eastern Arabia C.C batting first scored a mamoth total of 252/10 in their alloted 20 overs. Abdul Rahman played a brilliant knock of 75 on just 35 deliveries which was assisted with some brilliant batting from Mohammad Aris and Afwan Mohammad, both of them scoring 41(22) and 39(15) respectively. In reply Abbotabad Tigers C.C could only manage a total of 144/9, in which Amjad Khan was the star performer who managed to score 38(32) runs.  Abdul Rahman was the man of the match for his aggressive 75(35) and also for grabbing 3 wickets for just 14 runs.

In another game played between SAB Warriors C.C and Britam Arabia Mavericks C.C, played at the Qaddafi Ground, SAB Warriors were able to score 178/6 in 20 overs. Salahuddin Salman played a brilliant opening knock of 70 runs on just 50 deliveries along with the help of Tayyab Khalil who scored 47(24). Mutaiyyub Saleem and Nawab Omer Ali managed to grab 2 wickets for Mavericks C.C. In reply Britam Arabia Mavericks C.C were bowled out on 98 runs only in which Nayab Irfan was the highest scorer, who managed to score 22(27). Man of the match was awarded to Mr. Salahuddin Salman for his brilliant batting.

Another game was played between Al Tuwairqi C.C & Blue Star C.C on ERCA Ground named after the famous Indian Stadium, the Eden Gardens. Batting first, Al Tuwairqi C.C managed to score 153/6 in 20 overs. Aftab Magre was the star performer with the bat, scoring 34 runs on just 29 deliveries. Muhammad Iqbal took 3 wickets for Blue Star C.C.

In reply Blue Stars C.C chased the total in 18 overs with two wickets in hand. Muhammad Ashraf from Blue Stars scored 50 runs on just 32 deliveries by hitting 4 Fours and 2 huge sixes. MuhammadAshraf was awarded the man of the match for his brilliant fifty that helped his team in winning the match.

Another match played at Galle Ground in the afternoon session, witnessed the first ever 5 wicket haul, when Kiran Gorizillah of Kites C.C bagged five batsmen of Pasha XI C.C and managed to contain them for just 137/8 in 20 overs. In reply Kites C.C was able to achieve 114/8 before bad light struck and the match had to be abandoned with awarding 1 point to both the teams. Man of the match was awarded to Kiran Gorizilla for his outstanding 5 wickets haul.

 

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News Network
December 3,2025

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Mangaluru, Dec 3: A group of Congress workers gathered at the Mangaluru International Airport on Wednesday to welcome AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, but the reception quickly turned into a display of support for Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.

Venugopal arrived in the city to participate in the centenary commemoration of the historic dialogue between Mahatma Gandhi and Narayana Guru. The event, organised by the Sivagiri Mutt, Varkala, in association with the Mangalore University Sri Narayana Guru Study Chair, is being held on the university’s Konaje campus.

KPCC general secretary Mithun Rai and several party workers had assembled at the airport to receive Venugopal. However, the moment he stepped out, workers began raising slogans backing Shivakumar.

The university programme will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

This show of support comes just a day after Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar would lead the government “when the high command decides.” The chief minister made the comment after a breakfast meeting at Shivakumar’s residence—another public display of camaraderie between the two leaders amid ongoing attempts by the party high command to downplay their leadership rivalry.

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News Network
November 27,2025

Bengaluru, Nov 27: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s camp is reportedly on alert as the Congress leadership tussle in the state intensifies, particularly amid speculation over the potential promotion of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Siddaramaiah is said to be in a “wait-and-watch” mode after admitting to “confusion” earlier this week and urging the party to “put a full stop” to it.

Sources say his supporters are ready to act if senior leaders — including party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi — give any indication of backing Shivakumar. If the party insists on a leadership change, Siddaramaiah’s camp has a list of alternatives, underscoring the deep rift between the two leaders. One possible candidate is Home Minister G. Parameshwara, a Siddaramaiah loyalist and influential Dalit leader.

The strategy was reportedly finalized at a meeting led by PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, another Siddaramaiah supporter, who stressed that Delhi leaders need to resolve the issue. Kharge and the Gandhis are expected to meet soon, after which Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar may be summoned to Delhi.

Shivakumar has largely stayed non-confrontational, publicly endorsing Siddaramaiah and downplaying speculation about his own ambitions. However, he has made pointed comments emphasizing the importance of honoring promises, directed at Siddaramaiah.

The feud traces back to the 2023 state election, when Siddaramaiah was chosen as Chief Minister while Shivakumar, who led the party’s campaign, was made Deputy CM and state party chief — a departure from the Congress’ usual “one post per person” rule.

There were also hints of a prior understanding that Siddaramaiah would step down midway through the term. As the halfway mark passed last week, Shivakumar-aligned lawmakers have ramped up pressure on the party for a leadership change, with Shivakumar himself hinting at stepping down as state party chief to pursue the top job.

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News Network
December 1,2025

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Udupi, Dec 1: A horrific case of alleged rape has unfolded in Udupi, where a worker from a Hindutva organisation, previously arrested and released on bail for harassing a young woman, is now accused of waylaying and sexually assaulting her.

The arrested individual has been identified as Pradeep Poojary (26), a member of the Hindu Jagarana Vedike's Nairkode unit in Perdur.

Poojary had allegedly been relentlessly harassing the young woman, pressuring her to marry him. When she bravely stood up to him and refused his demands, she filed a formal complaint at the Hiriyadka police station. He was subsequently arrested in that initial harassment case but was later granted bail.

According to police reports, driven by the same malicious grudge, Poojary allegedly intercepted the woman again on November 29. While she was walking through a deserted area, the accused is claimed to have threatened her by grabbing her neck. When she again refused to marry him, he allegedly proceeded to rape her.

The survivor immediately informed her family about the traumatic assault. Following this, her parents lodged a complaint at the Udupi women’s police station.

Police arrested Poojary again and produced him before the court. He has since been remanded to judicial custody.

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