Karachi Whites regain Under-19 Grade-I title

Lahore, October 4: Karachi Whites regained the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Under-19 Grade-I tournament when they defeated Lahore Blues by seven wickets on the forth and last day at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Lahore, who resumed at 54 for two after conceding a 134-run first innings lead to Karachi were destroyed for the second time in the match by a fast bowler, this time by Tabish Khan who captured six for 82 to send the home team crashing out for 288 despite an excellent 107 by Asim Ijaz.

Tabish had a match haul of eight for 130 while his new ball partner Sharif Asadullah scooped two for 92 in the second innings for match figures of six for 138.

Asim Ijaz, who scored 25 in the first innings, batted for six hours and 26 minutes during which he faced 265 balls. But he failed to receive the support from the other end that could help Lahore avert defeat.

Karachi, requiring 155 for an outright victory, reached the target for the loss of three wickets, opener Khalid Latif followed up his 161 not out in his first innings with a brilliant 54 and also shared in a 74-run second wicket stand with Asadullah Sumairy (49). He was adjudged man-of-the-match to pocket Rs. 5,000.

Azhar Ali grabbed both the wickets for Multan conceding 32 runs.

Karachi Whites received a winners purse of Rs. 40,000 while Lahore had to settle with Rs. 20,000. Besides the man-of-the-match award, Khalid Latif was also adjudged the best batsman and best fielder of the tournament for which he was awarded Rs. 2,000 each. Aftab Ahmed (Karachi Whites) was declared best bowler and Naeem Ahmed (Karachi Whites) was adjudged best wicketkeeper.

Star batsman and local hero Inzamam-ul-Haq was the chief guest and distributed the prizes.

SAMIUL HASAN
GM Media
October 4, 2002