Multan rise to first class cricket with Grade-II final win

KARACHI: Multan qualified for first-class cricket when they won the final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Grade-II against Karachi Blues by ten wickets at Multan Stadium on Thursday.

Karachi Blues, who had conceded 152 runs lead, resumed their second innings at 81-4 and were bowled out for 154 to set just three runs target for Multan who got it off the first ball of their innings.

Karachi Blues’ wicketkeeper Saifullah Bangash hit 32 with four fours. Fahadis Bukhari (26) and Saud Shakeel (20) were the other prominent scorers.

International all-rounder Aamer Yamin got 5-32, while spinner Zulfiqar Babar captured 4-57. Babar picked nine wickets in the match, while Yamin claimed eight.

Karachi Blues posted 154 in their first innings. In reply Multan staged amassed to take a huge lead.

Multan were handed over a purse of Rs500,000, while Karachi Blues received Rs 250,000.

Besides, Rs50,000 each was handed over to Abdul Rehman Muzammil (Multan, man of the final), Saad Khan (Hyderabad, best batsman, 450 runs), Zulfiqar Babar (Multan, best bowler, 31 wickets) and Kamran Ghulam (Abbottabad, best all-rounder, 337 runs, 22 wickets, 6 catches).