Four Seasons Inter-Hotels cricket champion

In a pair of thrilling semifinal matches, Four Seasons Hotel captained by Muhammad Ashraf denied Sheraton Riyadh the opportunity to play in the championship match while Marriott lost to Al Khozama by 2 wickets.
Eventually Four Seasons Hotel was crowned champion in the 14th Annual Riyadh Inter-Hotels Cricket Tournament 2013 by beating Hotel Al Khozama in the final at the Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers grounds here last Friday.
The tournament for the benefit of the children of UNICEF was hosted by Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers through General Manager Paul C. Dunphy and supported by all the GMs from participating hotels, with Dirab Golf & Country Club through Shahid Rabbani as co-sponsor.
Four Seasons’ Ashraf won the toss and elected to bat first against Khozama. In a slow start, Four Seasons compiled 149 runs with the loss of 3 wickets in 16 overs. Mohammad Sifaan top-scored with 48 runs including 4 sixes and 2 fours. Atif Abbasi added 19. Al Khozama’s bowlers were not able to neutralize Four Seasons’ batting.
Captain Susantha Gunawardhane’s Hotel Al Khozama did not reach the target of 150, making 146 runs for 7 wickets in 16 overs. Susantha led Al Khozama with 41 runs including 2 sixes before he was caught by Mohammed Abrar. Four Seasons’ bowler Manshad Ahmed took 2 wickets for 30.
Present during the championship match were the top brass from participating hotels namey Al Khozama General Manager Eric Huyer, Alex Pichel, GM of Al Faisaliah Hotel; Eric Steinbock, managing director of Al Faisaliah and Al Khozama Hotels; Hussain Hatata, owner’s representative, Jeremy Wilkin, senior manager of I.C.M.E, the former GM of Al Faisaliah, Syed Hussain, Four Seasons director of Human Resources, Wael Islambouli, Sheraton Riyadh Human Resources Manager; and Thushara Menikdiwela, Al Faisaliah Sales Manager, who instrumental in the setup of the playing venue and the preparation of the sumptuous buffet.
The awarding followed the final match. Alam Zaib of Intercontinental was adjudged Best Bowler taking 15 wickets, Four Seasons Basharat Ahmed the Highest Four scorer, Asoka Karunarathne of Al Khozama the Highest Catches, Fouzer Anver of Sheraton Riyadh the Highest Sixes and Four Seasons’ Vaqas Naeem the Best Batsman and Man of the Series and Mohammad Sifaan of Four Seasons Man of the Match.
The individual awardees each received trophy plus gifts while the champion, 1st runner-up, 2nd runner-up received trophies.
The Sheraton Cricket Committee headed by Ziard Sadikeen with Naveen Adaikalam and Mohd. Arshak Haruun thanked all the participating teams with special mention of Saleem Khan of Marriott Hotel, Thushara Menikdiwela of Al Khozama, and the professional services of official umpires Tuan Shiras and Mohammed Irfan as well as the scorer Mohd. Arshak Haruun.
The tournament was under the overall guidance of Carlos D. Ollero, the chairman of the Riyadh Inter-Hotels Sports Committee.