Quaid Trophy: Blues, Whites go top of their groups

Karachi teams register contrasting wins inside three days.

Karachi Whites and Karachi Blues went to the top of their respective groups after registering victories in three days in the third-round matches of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

Blues demolished Sialkot with a 10-wicket win with the help of all-rounder Akbarur-Rehman’s eight-wicket haul as Sialkot were all out for 249 in 57.2 overs while following-on.

Ali Khan was the only one to put up a fight, scoring 82 with five sixes and four fours. Blues then raced past the 22-run target in three overs, taking nine points out of the match which helped them attain a total of 21 points.

Coach Azam Khan, who is into his fifth year of being the Blues’ coach, said that he was ecstatic with the start his team had got and wants them to turn it into a championship winning show.

“The players are responding well during training and I genuinely believe I can guide the team to their first title in my career as a coach,” Khan told The Express Tribune.



“It’s a promising feeling to see senior players such as Khurram Manzoor, Faisal Iqbal and Tanvir Ahmed back the junior lot, while the likes of Tabish Khan and Akber Rehman have played an important role as well. I am confident with such a spirit in the team, we can achieve a lot of success.”

Meanwhile, Whites beat Rawalpindi by three wickets at the National Stadium.

Set a target of 168, Whites made 171 for seven in 48 overs as Saeed Bin Nasir remained not out on 33 to seal the victory. Khalid Latif top-scored with 51 runs off 113 balls, while Sarfaraz Ahmed struck 36 off 27 balls with six boundaries. Sohail Tanvir and Haseeb Azam took two wickets apiece.



Earlier, Rawalpindi were bowled out for 199 after resuming the day on 121 for five as Faraz Ahmed Khan claimed four scalps while Umar Amin made 57 off 97 balls. The Whites now have 18 points after taking maximum points from the match.

“It was an excellent effort by the side but we were not lucky enough in the end to get the win,” said Tanvir.

“Everybody put up a strong fight but the Whites batsmen survived the early spell which proved crucial in their victory. We are disappointed with the result.”

Abid closes in on double ton

Abid Ali remained unbeaten on 197 off 376 balls with help of 29 boundaries as hosts Lahore Ravi finished day two on 408 for four in 120.2 overs against Quetta at the LCCA ground. Adnan Akmal (86) chipped in with another half-century in the event.

Hosts Multan were in the driving seat against Peshawar as they were 111 for three in 45 overs replying to 194 Elsewhere, Ahmed Jamal’ six-for and Yasir Hameed unbeaten 63 put Abbottabad, who were 169 for two while answering 216, in pole position to clinch lead against Bahawalpur at Pindi Stadium.

Aizaz Cheema’s brilliant five-for helped Lahore Shalimar bowl out Faisalabad for 265 in 104.5 overs and the former ended the day on 44 for no loss at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 10^th, 2013.