Bits and Pieces

Hafiz shines again as Tapal CC cruise into final

By our correspondent

KARACHI: Another match winning effort from opening batsman Hafiz Asad comfortably took Tapal Cricket Club into the final of the Omar Associates Karachi Gymkhana Ramazan Festival Twenty20 as they hammered New Al Habib by seven wickets in the second semi-final here at the Karachi Gymkhana on Friday.

Tapal CC will take on Advance Telecom in the final on Saturday (today).

Hafiz Asad, whose unbeaten century in the quarter-finals helped Tapal CC overcome hosts Karachi Gymkhana in a high-scoring affair, extended his purple patch by scoring a sedate 38 off 39 balls which guided his team to victory with all the time in the world.

It was yet another clinical all-round display by Tapal CC, who emerged as the most consistent team in the 31-year-old history of the competition, instituted in 1986.

The gamble of Tapal CC skipper, Owais Rehmani, to insert the opposition after calling correctly paid dividends as New Al Habib were restricted to 118 for nine in the allotted 20 overs.

The spin trio of Nasir Owais (2-12), Daniyal Rajput (2-27) and Imran Ali (2-27) had reduced New Al Habib to 76 for nine and it was only the 42-run unbroken last wicket stand of 42 which pushed the total beyond 100. The partnership was dominated by Hafiz-ur-Rahman, who whacked three sixes and as many fours in his unbeaten 32 off 14 balls.

Chasing a modest target of less than run a ball, Tapal CC were indebted to Hafiz Asad, who clinched his second successive Man of the Match award, for keeping his team in control until the very end. Hamza Ghanchi scored 36 off 24 balls and the winning runs came with 21 deliveries remaining.

De Grandhomme, Raval earn NZ central contracts

AUCKLAND: New Zealand Cricket have awarded all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme and opening batsman Jeet Raval with central contracts for the next 12 months.

Batsman Neil Broom has also been offered a contract after he was recalled to the national side following a lengthy absence to replace Ross Taylor while he recovered from eye surgery.

Players on the list are guaranteed a retainer from NZC, with match payments on top.

Each player is ranked according to the contribution they are expected to make over the next 12 months.

All-rounder Doug Bracewell and offspinner Mark Craig dropped off the list, while wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi announced his retirement from international cricket on Thursday.

“Colin made a breakthrough last summer and is rated well in all three formats,” NZC selector Gavin Larsen said in a statement.

“Jeet´s Test numbers speak for themselves, and Neil, as well as averaging 43 in ODI cricket since his recall, is also seen as viable cover for the Test team´s middle-order.

“Bracewell barely played any cricket last season when he suffered a serious knee injury and recently was convicted for drink driving.

Dollar East in Naya Nazimabad Cricket final

KARACHI: Shahid Yousuf smashed an unbeaten 65-run knock to lead Dollar East into the final of the 4th Naya Nazimabad Karachi Kings Ramadan Cup T20, as they recorded a six-wicket victory over SSGC here at Lawai Cricket Stadium on Thursday night.

Shahid struck nine fours and a six in his 65 runs, which came off 54 balls. Veteran Owais Rehmani cracked 54 off 44 balls to help Dollar East reach victory.

Earlier, left-arm spinner Tauheed Khan grabbed four wickets for 15 runs, while speedster Muhammad Sami took three top wickets for 31 runs in a fiery spell as SSGC were bowled out for 131 with seven balls to spare.  Test cricketer Sohail Khan hammered four sixes and two boundaries in his 26-ball knock of 42.

Garcia two off lead in Germany, Ormsby sets pace

MUNICH: Sergio Garcia marked his return to Europe for the first time since his Masters triumph with an opening round 66 to sit two shots off the lead at the BMW International Open on Thursday.

The Spaniard enjoyed a bogey-free round at the Golfclub Munchen Eichenried while Australia’s Wade Ormsby carded an eight-under 64 to take the overall lead, one ahead of Thomas Detry of Belgium.

Garcia, who was joined on 66 by Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark and Dutch player Joost Luiten, started on the 10th hole and birdied the 11th, 16th and 18th to turn in 33.

A beautiful approach to the fifth set up another gain before the Spaniard took advantage of the par-five sixth and then put his tee shot to the par-three eighth to close range.

“It was great,” Garcia told www.europeantour.com.

“I felt like I played quite well, not spectacular, but very consistent throughout the whole day. I was very happy to see some of the shots I hit and some of the putts I made and very happy with my six under.

“There’s still three more to go, so we’re going to keep playing hard and hopefully we’ll­ have some more like this and we’ll be up there on Sunday.”

Jayawardene pulls out of Lancashire stint

LONDON: Sri Lanka great Mahela Jayawardene has withdrawn from his planned spell with Lancashire during English county cricket´s Twenty20 Blast for unspecified “personal reasons”, it was announced on Thursday.

The former Sri Lanka captain and current Mumbai Indians coach was set to arrive at Old Trafford later this month ahead of Lancashire´s opening game against Durham on July 7.

“I am very disappointed to be unable to join Lancashire Lightning in the upcoming NatWest T20 Blast as planned,” said Jayawardene in a club statement.

“I would like to wish the club a successful campaign this year.” Jayawardene, 40, has previously played in the T20 Blast with both Sussex and Somerset.

The former Sri Lanka captain scored nearly 12,000 Test runs in 149 Tests.

Certificate awarding ceremony of sailing courses held

By our correspondent

KARACHI: The certificate awarding ceremony of the two basic sailing courses was held at the PAF Yacht Club here on Friday.

The courses were conducted with support from the Pakistan Youth Sailing Association (PYSA) and included basics of sailing along with knowledge about different parts of a boat and recovery drills for children.

Air Cdre. Asad Ibrahim, Captain (retd.) AR Arshad and Group Captain Khalid distributed the certificates. More than 70 children took part in the course.