Azhar, Yaqoob shine in inter-school matches

KARACHI: Terrific all-round performances from Azhar Amin and Muhammad Yaqoob led their teams to victories in the latest league matches of the PVCA-EBM Inter-School Cricket Tournament.

Skipper Azhar powered Government Boys Secondary School (GBSS) Korangi to a six-wicket victory over Zeeshan Secondary School in a Group C fixture here at the Eastern Star Cricket Ground.

Yaqoob starred in Fahad Academy’s 44-run triumph over KBV-CAA School in a Group D fixture at the Asghar Ali Shah Stadium.Batting first after winning the toss, Zeeshan Secondary School lost their way after a promising start to be all out for 210 in 36.5 overs.

Opener Hamza Monis, who struck one six and 15 fours in his brilliant knock of 92 coming from only 81 balls, dominated the 83-run first wicket stand with Mirza Saud Baig, who contributed 24 off as many balls.

At 151 for two, Zeeshan Secondary School appeared heading towards a total in the excess of 250 but they collapsed dramatically, losing the last eight wickets for just 59 runs. GBSS Korangi pulled it back through spin trio of Habibullah (2-24), Abdul Saboor (2-24) and Faiz Ahmed (2-36) after medium-pacer Azhar (2-20) got the prized scalp of Hamza.

The match became wide open when GBSS Korangi lost three early wickets. But the 168-run fourth wicket stand between opener Ajmal Khan (92 off 109 balls) and Man of the Match Azhar, who remained undefeated on 75 off 70 balls got them over the line with seven and a half overs to spare.

In the other match, Yaqoob followed up his fluent knock of 67 down the order with a magnificent five-wicket haul with his leg-spin to lead Fahad Academy to a comfortable victory. He was adjudged Man of the Match.

Fahad Academy, who batted first after calling correctly, found themselves in dire straits with the top half of their batting back in the hut cheaply despite opener Zeeshan Ahmed’s fluent 39 off 32 balls.

At one stage they were 82 for six, but Yaqoob rescued them with his 60-ball 67 containing one six and five fours. Fahad Academy were eventually bowled out for 200 in 32.3 overs with the bowling honours shared by KBV-CAA School’s pace trio of Zain-ul-Abedin (3-38), Ahmed Raza (2-36) and Haris Abid (2-43).

The 93-run second wicket partnership between opener Muhammad Maaz (63 off 97 balls) and Asad Majeed (33 off 66 balls) put KBV-CAA School in the driving seat but they were derailed by Yaqoob, who finished with excellent figures of five for 29.Off-spinner Muhammad Shaheryar (2-20) also bowled well as KBV-CAA School were bowled out for 156 in 34 overs despite the contribution of 34 extras.