Saudi Cricket Center will sponsor the EPCA T20 Challenge Cup 2012, according to Farhat Mahmmod, President of the Eastern Province Cricket Association. The teams will be divided into two groups and played on round-robin basis. Ten teams have entered the Premier Division and 24 in the First Division. In keeping with tradition, EPCA kicked off the new season 2012-13 by playing exhibition matches featuring the President’s XI against Premier Division champions and Vice President’s XI against First Division champions of last year. Al-Tuwairqi Cricket Club, the defending champions in premier division, defeated President’s XI by 13 runs in the first match. After winning the toss, the Al-Tuwairqi decided to bat first and compiled 173 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Sohaib Aziz made an impressive 62 runs, Rizwan Qayyum also showed from with the bat with 35 runs. Umer Butt impressed with the ball as he took 2 wickets in as many overs. In reply, President XI made a fight of it but fell short of the target and scored 161 off 20 overs. Irfan Farooqui made an impressive 67 off 37 balls. Munawar got 31 runs. Rizwan Qayyum and Ayub Khan contained the President XI batsman with their accurate bowling as they shared 6 wickets. The second match was played between Khobar Badshahs, and Vice President ‘s XI. Vice President XI captain Haziq won the toss and elected to bat first. The decision paid dividends as the opening pair of Haziq and Aisf Mugal made 103 runs for the first wicket. Haziq led Vice President XI with 109. Asif Mugal looked good with 39 runs. But No. 3 batsman Zuhair hit 45. Vice President XI scored 221 for 3 off 20 overs. David and Muqeem Ali each took one wicket. In reply Khobar Badshahs top order had a disastrous start and lost 4 wickets within the first three overs. They never recovered and were bowled out for 140 off 19.1 overs. Muhammed Asif was the most successful bowler from Vice President XI with figure of 3 wickets. Safiullah also took 2 wickets to help their team for marvelous 81 runs victory. Haziq Khan was declared Man-of-the-Match. Abdul Aziz Al-Naimi, Chairman, EPCA was the chief guest and distributed the prizes. Arab news