Quarters line-up decided in President’s Trophy

RAWALPINDI: JDW, the development team of Multan Sultans, will face Railways in the President’s Trophy Grade-II quarter-final after finishing as the top side in Group C on Friday.

In the sixth and final league match, JDW’s encounter with CDA ended in a draw. However, JDW secured first-innings lead points, taking their tally to 38 points from six matches, with three wins and three draws (all with first-innings leads). Railways, their quarter-final opponents, finished second in Group D with 31 points.

The quarter-final will begin on May 19 at Shoaib Akhtar Stadium. After securing a 49-run first-innings lead and resuming their second innings on the third and final day at 80-2, JDW batted through the day before being bowled out for 407 in 114 overs.

The standout performer in JDW’s second innings was No. 7 batter Muhammad Zulfikal, who scored a magnificent 168 off 185 balls, including 26 fours and a six. No. 8 batter Shahbaz Ahmed was the next-best contributor, scoring a gritty 63 off 168 balls with six boundaries. The pair came together at 135 for six and added 240 runs before Shahbaz was dismissed by Asjad Nawaz.

Asjad struck again just five runs later, removing Zulfikal and finishing with figures of 2-84. Farman Ullah and Muhammad Wisal also contributed with the ball, picking up three wickets each for 60 and 84 runs, respectively.

Scores in Brief (Day 3 of 3): JDW 343-6 in 75 overs (Ali Imran 168, Haroon Arshad 35, Jahanzaib Sultan 35; Asjad Nawaz 2-71) and 407 all out in 114 overs (Muhammad Zulfikal 168, Shahbaz Ahmed 63, Humayun Altaf 31, Rana Adeel 29, Haroon Arshad 27; Farman Ullah 3-60, Muhammad Wisal 3-84, Asjad Nawaz 2-84).

CDA 294-7 in 75 overs (Azeem Bari 100, Riazuddin 65, Asadullah 32, Asjad Nawaz 32; Suliman Khan 3-40, Mehboob Ahmed 2-41, Muhammad Huzaifa 2-59). Quarter-Final Line-up (Matches Start on May 19): JDW vs Railways -- Shoaib Akhtar Stadium, Rawalpindi

Kingsmen vs Mit Solutions -- Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Abbottabad. PAF vs Wing 999 Sports -- Saeed Sports City, Lahore Sahir Associates vs Ghani Institute -- Rana Naveed Cricket Stadium, Sheikhupura.