Quaid trophy: Ravi, Sialkot advance to Super-Eights round in tournament

Karachi Blues, Lahore Shalimar enter second stage as leaders.

KARACHI: Lahore Ravi and Sialkot confirmed their places in the Super-Eight round as the first stage of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan’s premier domestic tournament, concluded at various venues yesterday.

Ravi – who have not lost a game in the event so far – ended third in Group I with 12 points as they registered one win with rest of their five matches ending in draw.

Despite conceding points to Multan in the last round of group stage, Sialkot left them behind to qualify for the next stage. They also managed 12 points, including a win and loss each besides drawing in their remaining four group matches.

The phenomenal Karachi Blues ended the round as clear leaders in the group with 36 points, including three victories and as many draws. Islamabad finished second with 18 points from two wins and two losses and two drawn results.

Group II saw Lahore Shalimar (30 points), Rawalpindi (30 points), Karachi Whites (24) and Hyderabad (18) advancing from group II. The Super-Eight matches will begin from February 6.

Ravi earns point in draw against Peshawar    

Meanwhile, the last day of final round saw Ravi being held by Peshawar in Lahore on Sunday.

However, Ravi managed to collect three coveted points that helped them advance into the tournament.

Before the results were declared, Peshawar were on 59 for three after being forced to follow-on. They were earlier bowled out in the first-innings for 209 in reply to Ravi’s mammoth of 512 for six.

At the Multan Stadium, the hosts managed to collect three points on the basis of first-innings lead against Sialkot but failed to enter the Super-Eights as the match ended in a draw.

Meanwhile in group II, the final group game between Karachi Whites and Faisalabad ended in a draw with Whites securing three points at Mirpur Cricket Stadium.

Faisalabad who were chasing a 357-run target were on 213 for six at the end of fixture, adding 69 more runs on the day while losing three more wickets. Zeeshan Asif (90) was the top-scorer for the side.

Meanwhile, the final day of the match between hosts Rawalpindi and Bahawalpur at the Pindi Stadium was washed out due to rain, resulting in a draw.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th, 2013.