Cricket: Ali leads Whites to U17 T20 final

KARACHI: Jaahid Ali scored a quick fire half-century and bagged two wickets to put Omar Associates Academy Whites in the NBP Under-17 Inter-Academies Twenty20 tournament final as they defeated Customs Cricket Academy (CCA) by a single run after a thrilling semifinal on Monday. Batting first at the RLCA ground in Gulberg, Whites posted 151 for the loss of four wickets in their allotted 20 overs.  Skipper Jaahid Ali, who was named man of the match, made 62 off 40 hitting eight strikes to the fence while Waqas Ali chipped in with 29. In reply, CCA closely missed out and could not make 150 for seven in 20 overs. Meanwhile, Rao Waqar top-scored and Saud Shakil and Khursheed Shah bagged two wickets apiece.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 21^st, 2012.