Old Ravians clinch GCU annual fixture

LAHORE: The Old Ravians Union’s XI on Friday beat the Vice Chancellor’s XI by 24 runs at the festival cricket match at the Government College University Lahore’s Oval Ground. Old Ravians, under the captaincy of former Test cricketer Salim Malik, decided to bat first after winning the toss.

Old Ravians scored 156 runs in 15 overs. Batting maestro and distinguished Old Ravian Muhammad Khurram scored a quick fire 53 runs off just 17 balls. His innings included two fours and 6 sixes. Salim Malik also contributed towards the gigantic score with a fine knock of 31 runs.

Chasing a challenging total of 156 runs, Vice Chancellor’s XI could not face the heat and surrendered after scoring 132 runs. Wickets fell at regular intervals, which added to the difficulties faced by the losing team. Anees Ahmed (34) and Khurram Shahzad (21) were the only batsmen to show some resistance. Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Najam Sethi was the chief guest at the festival match, which was also attended by former Test cricketers Abdul Qadir and Haroonur Rasheed, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah. ld.

Speaking on the occasion, Najam Sethi said that he had played a lot cricket at the Government College Lahore in his youth times. He also remembered many sportsmen who played cricket with him at GC and some of them later made it the Test team of Pakistan. He said that there was not much money in cricket at that time, but there was extreme level of dedication and hard work in the cricketers. He also pledged to provide GCU Lahore, his alma mater, full support for the training of cricketers and provision of other facilities including cricket ground. Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah expressed gratitude to Old Ravians Union for organizing a colourful match, saying that they would bring in a tougher team next year.