Hassan’s all-round show enables Beaconhouse annex HBL Inter-Schools crown

Pakistan News & Features Services

Skipper Hassan Khan’s magnificent all-round performance helped Beaconhouse School North Nazimabad to overpower Fahad Academy by six wickets in the final of the HBL Inter-Schools Cricket Tournament 2014 at the National Stadium, Karachi.

Besides smashing 134 off only 79 balls, he also claimed three wickets to ensure that Beaconhouse School North Nazimabad clinched the trophy rather leisurely in the end. With the final and the prize distribution ceremony the curtain fell to the organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA) and sponsored by HBL. 

Set a target of 196 in 40 overs, Beaconhouse School North Nazimabad lost both the openers cheaply but guided them to the chase, with a sensational knock of 134 which contained five sixes and 18 fours. 

Beaconhouse School North Nazimabad was in sight of massive victory when he departed and the job was completed by the pair of Anwar Iqbal (26 off 20 balls) and Izaan Waqar (18 off 36 balls), both of them remaining undefeated, as the winning runs came in only the 27th over. 

Earlier the spin quartet of Hassan Khan (3-29), Muaz Bin Salman (2-24), Waleed Hasan (2-32) and Ahmed Salman (2-34) had sent Fahad Academy crashing to 195 all out in 38 overs after a solid start provided the opening pair of Babar Hassan (90 off 86 balls) and Mohammad Saleem (28 off 22 balls). 

The spinners did a terrific job by picking up wickets at regular intervals which choked the rate of scoring and restricted Fahad Academy to a total of below 200. 

The prize distribution ceremony was held soon after the conclusion of the final in which the chief guest, Aman Aziz Siddiqui, Head-Strategy & Investment, HBL, presented the winners trophy with a cheque of Rs 50,000 to the Beaconhouse School North Nazimabad captain, Hassan Khan, while Tauseef Khan, the Fahad Academy skipper, collected a cheque of Rs 30,000 with the runner-up trophy. 

In the individual awards category Tariq Bakht was declared the Player of the Tournament while, Ammad Alam, Mohiuddin Javed, Mohammad Moiz and Ammar Iqbal were declared as the best batsmen, the best bowler, the best fielder and the best wicketkeeper of the tournament respectively. 

In his brief address on the occasion, Aman Aziz Siddiqui announced that HBL will like to make the tournament a permanent annual event in future. 

Fawad Ijaz Khan, Chairman, PVCA, in his welcome address, made the announcement that the Inter-Schools Cricket Tournament will now be extended to the other cities of the country too.

Shaharyar M. Khan, Chairman, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), who was the guest of honour, assured the Board’s total support to the PVCA initiatives aimed at promoting the game from the grassroots level.

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Fahad Academy storm into HBL Inter-Schools Cricket final

Pakistan News & Features Services 

Fahad Academy stormed into the final of the HBL Inter-Schools Cricket Tournament 2014 by whipping St Paul English School by 135 runs in the semifinals of the at the National Stadium, Karachi. 

Fahad Academy will now be taking on Beaconhouse School North Nazimabad in the final at the same venue. The tournament is being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA). 

Put into bat, Fahad Academy posted a mammoth total of 315 for seven in the allotted 40 overs. St Paul English School was never really in the hunt after losing wickets in quick succession. They were bowled out for 180 in 34.2 overs. 

The gamble of the St Paul English School skipper, Hammad Ahmed, to insert the opponents into bat after calling correctly, backfired and runs kept coming at brisk pace from the outset in the Fahad Academy innings. 

Fahad Academy lost an early wicket but the 105-run second wicket partnership between opener Mohammad Saleem (78 off 61 balls) and Farhan Shah (71 off 65 balls) put them in a strong position. 

Saleem whacked as many as 15 boundaries besides one six in his aggressive knock while Farhan smashed 10 fours in his enterprising half century. The middle-order batsmen capitalized on the solid platform and the boundaries kept coming despite the loss of wickets. 

Umair Bin Yousuf’s superb innings of 43 off 48 balls allowed the power hitters to do the business. Zeeshan Ahmed (26 off 21 balls) and Adeel Irshad (21 off 17 balls) batted brilliantly and the late flourish was provided by Mahmood Shah who remained undefeated on 29 off 22 balls which enabled Fahad Academy to post a huge total of 315 despite fine bowling from left-arm spinner Hamza Khan (3-55) and medium-pacer Hammad Ahmed (2-47). 

The match was virtually over when St Paul English School lost four wickets before bringing up 100 of their innings. Mohammad Kashan’s 41 off 50 balls simply reduced the margin of defeat as the result was seldom in doubt with the fall of wickets which made the asking rate beyond the reach of the batting side. 

The Fahad Academy captain, Tauseef Khan, used as many as 10 bowlers, with leg-spinner Adeel Ahmed (2-27) returning the best figures. Their teammate Mohammad Saleem was declared Man of the Match for his blistering knock upfront.

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Hassan’s century powers Beaconhouse School into HBL Inter-Schools final

Pakistan News & Features Services

Hassan Khan’s brilliant century powered Beaconhouse School North Nazimabad to an exciting two-wicket victory over Kamran Public School in the semifinals of the HBL Inter-Schools Cricket Tournament 2014 at the National Stadium, Karachi, on December 1.

Beaconhouse School North Nazimabad’s opponents in the final, to be staged on December 3, will be the winners of the second semifinal, to be contested between Fahad Academy and St Paul ’s School on December 2. 

The tournament is being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA). 

The semifinal between Beaconhouse School North Nazimabad and Kamran Public School turned out to be a very absorbing one with the outcome in doubt until the winning runs were scored. 

Electing to bat, after winning the toss, Kamran Public School lost their last seven wickets for 36 runs to be bowled out for 208 in 38.4 overs. Openers Ammad Alam (32 off 26 balls) and Abdul Moiz (22 off 26 balls) provided them a rollicking start and the 96-run fourth wicket partnership in 22 overs between Hasan Mohsin (71 off 75 balls) and S M Hasnain (52 off 61 balls) consolidated their position. 

It was the trio of left-arm spinners, led by Waleed Hasan (4-21), which derailed their innings. Izaan Waqar (2-36) and Ahmed Salman (2-40) also chipped in with useful wickets to limit the Kamran Public School score. 

Set to score 209 in 40 overs, Beaconhouse School North Nazimabad found itself in disarray at 80 for five before rescued by a punishing 108-run sixth wicket stand off only 67 balls between Hassan Khan and Ammar Iqbal. 

Coming in at number three, Hassan Khan blasted nine sixes and eight fours in his sensational knock of 109 which came off only 49 balls. He was absolutely brilliant in his stroke-play which severely jolted the fielding side. 

The match came alive again after his dismissal when wickets started tumbling again but it was Ammar Iqbal who stood firm and guided Beaconhouse School North Nazimabad to victory. He remained undefeated on 46 off 59 balls as his team won the match with just two wickets in hand. 

Leg-spinners Ammad Alam (3-38) and Hasan Mohsin (3-51) bowled well for Kamran Public School but couldn’t win the day for their side. The Man of the Match award was clinched by Hassan Khan of Beaconhouse School North Nazimabad for his whirlwind century. 

The presentation was made by the chief guest, Dr Razi Azmat, Head Human Resource, HBL, while Fawad Ijaz Khan, Chairman PVCA, Nadeem Omar, Abdul Raquib, Alamgir Ahmed and Amjad Islam were also present on the occasion.

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HBL Inter-Schools semifinals, final to be telecast live

Pakistan News & Features Services

Both the semifinals as well as the final of the HBL Inter-Schools Cricket Tournament 2014, being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), will be telecast live. 

Fawad Ijaz Khan, Chairman, PVCA, has announced that the semifinals and the final, to be staged at the National Stadium, Karachi, next week, will be beamed live by the Pakistan Television (PTV). 

“The first semifinal, to be played between Kamran Public School and Beaconhouse School North Nazimabad, on December 1 will be telecast live on PTV National while the second semifinal, to be contested between Fahad Academy and St Paul’s School on December 2, will be shown live on PTV Sports. The final, to be held on December 3, will be telecast live on PTV National,” the PVCA Chairman revealed. 

He further disclosed that Shaharyar Khan, Chairman, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), will be the guest of honour while Nouman K Dar, President HBL, will be the chief guest in the prize distribution the ceremony to be held soon after the conclusion of the final. 

Like all the previous matches, the semifinals and the finals will be 40 overs-a-side contests, and will be getting underway at 10 am. 

A total of 32 teams, including a couple of outfits selected by HBL on the basis of open trials, entered the tournament which was inaugurated by Shahid Afridi, Pakistan T20 skipper, in a colourful ceremony at the Karachi Gymkhana Cricket Ground on September 18. 

Shahid Afridi and Younis Khan, both proud products of HBL, had mingled with the players and officials of the participating teams while giving them motivational talks in which they emphasized on the importance of discipline in the game.  It’s for the seventh time when the PVCA has organized an Inter-Schools tournament in Karachi.

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Jalaluddin pledges for lifetime affair with cricket

By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Boosted by the glowing tributes showered upon him, Jalaluddin, a former Test fast bowler, has pledged to continue working for the cause of the game until his last breath. 

During his brief address in the launching ceremony of ‘2015: Jalaluddin’s Tribute Year’ here at the Karachi Gymkhana Banquet Hall on November 27, the highest qualified coach of the country vowed to have a lifetime attachment with the sport which has earned him fame and recognition. 

Pakistan Customs has ventured to pay tribute to Jalaluddin in a befitting manner in view of his overwhelming contribution to the game of cricket. A grand gala dinner in his honour will be organized at a five-star hotel while an exhibition T-20 match between Pakistan Stars-XI and Pakistan Customs-XI, dedicated to him, will be staged at National Stadium, Karachi. 

Some other side events like the launching of a book on the history of Pakistan Customs cricket and conducting a seminar on cricket coaching are also planned to be a part of the programme to be held in January-February 2015. 

“I feel really touched and overwhelmed lavished by our departmental chiefs. I could not have made it where I am today without their unstinted support. They have been very considerate and accommodating towards the cause of sports in general and cricket in particular. Now it’s my duty to reciprocate by devoting the rest of my life in serving the interests of cricket as well as our department,” Jalaluddin, the founder chief coach of the Customs Cricket Academy (CCA), observed in an emotional tone. 

He was responding to the compliments passed by Nazim Saleem, Chief Collector Enforcement, South, Nasir Masroor, Chief Collector Appraisement South, and Khalil Masood, Ex-member Customs and former Chairman, Corporate Law Authority. 

“We have decided to celebrate 2015 as the tribute year to Jalaluddin, in recognition of his outstanding services as a player, a coach and as an administrator. He thoroughly deserves this honour. In fact we are late in doing it. Our department should have done it a few years ago,” Nazim Saleem reckoned. 

“Having played a phenomenal role in the grooming of talented youngsters from all over the country at the state-of-the-art Customs Cricket Academy in Karachi, which he has been running for the last 15 years, he has contributed overwhelmingly to be acknowledged in a befitting manner,” the Chief Collector Enforcement stated. 

“Everyone at Pakistan Customs feels proud of his accomplishments, single-mindedness and consistency of purpose. That’s why his departmental colleagues are excited about turning his benefit year’s events into a resounding success,” Nasir Masroor, Chief Collector Appraisement, remarked. 

“Our collectorate has been looking after the cricket affairs at the Pakistan Customs and it’s mainly due to Jalaluddin’s efforts that we have gone from strength to strength over the years. He has played an awesome role in developing talent from the grassroots level. He has made the department proud with his accomplishments,” he complimented. 

Khalil Masood, Ex-member Customs, recalled that day about three decades ago when he had appointed Jalaluddin at the Pakistan Customs on the basis of his cricketing abilities. 

“It looks like ages ago when Jalaluddin was struggling to find a job. It was our good fortune that we offered him the employment which he gladly accepted. Since then he has proved a great asset for the department as well as the country. He has been doing a great service to the game by coaching the youngsters and turning them into professional cricketers,” the former Customs Collector said. 

Prominent among those present on the occasion were Prof Siraj-ul-Islam Bokhari, former President, Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA), Fawad Ijaz Khan, Chairman, Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA) and Nadeem Omar, Managing Director, Omar Associates.

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Nadeem Omar’s brilliant knock in vain as Omar Associates go down fighting

Pakistan News & Features Services

Nadeem Omar played a brilliant innings but it was not enough in the end as Omar Associates went down fighting by 22 runs in their encounter against Karachi Gymkhana here at the Karachi Gymkhana Cricket Ground on November 16. The match was organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA).

Nadeem Omar made a brilliant 68 off 64 balls to provide Omar Associates a strong platform to win the match. He was adjudged Man of the Match even though his team was unable to press home the advantage. 

Batting first, Karachi Gymkhana scored 191 for five in 22 overs. Saleem Parekh was the topscorer with 50 off 48 balls, hitting six fours while Tayyab Yousuf remained undefeated on 38 off 32 balls with the help of four boundaries. Leg-spinner Sajid Ansari (2-30) was the pick of the Omar Associates bowlers. 

Chasing a target of 192 in 22 overs, Omar Associates got off to a flying start through the opening pair of Nadeem Omar and Fawad Ijaz Khan, both of whom scored briskly. Fawad Ijaz was dismissed after scoring 48 off 44 balls, smashing five fours, while Nadeem Omar went on to score 68 off 64 balls with the aid of three boundaries. 

The asking rate could not be maintained in the final phase of the innings and Omar Associates was restricted to 169 for four in 22 overs. Off-spinner Akhtar Munir and left-arm spinner Jaffer Qureshi picked up a couple of wickets each for Karachi Gymkhana. 

The presentation ceremony was held soon after the conclusion of the match in which chief guest Muzaffar Alam presented Man of the Match award to Nadeem Omar while Saleem Parekh and Akhtar Munir were declared best batman and best bowler respectively.

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Beaconhouse North Nazimabad, St Paul sneak into HBL Inter-Schools Cricket semifinals

Pakistan News & Features Services

Beaconhouse School North Nazimabad and St Paul High School sneaked into the semifinals of the HBL Inter-Schools Cricket Tournament 2014, being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), by edging out their respective rivals in the quarter-finals.  

Beaconhouse School North Nazimabad outwitted HBL Schoolboys Whites by nine runs at the TMC Ground while St Paul High School recorded a narrow two-wicket victory over Beaconhouse School PECHS at the KCCA Stadium. 

Batting first, after winning the toss, Beaconhouse School North Nazimabad overcome a shaky start to finish with a decent total 185 for seven in the allotted 40 overs. Then they bowled out HBL Schoolboys Whites for 176 on the final ball of the innings to win the keenly contested encounter. 

Opener Izan Khan held the Beaconhouse School North Nazimabad innings together with a solid 47 off 93 balls. He added 80 for the fifth wicket with Muaz Bin Salman, who remained undefeated on 54 off 79 balls. Medium-pacer Sohail Khan (2-48) and leg-spinner Ashraf Khan (2-49) were the successful bowlers for HBL Schoolboys Whites. 

Beaconhouse School North Nazimabad fought back through the spin trio of Waleed Hasan (2-25), Ahmed Salman (2-27) and Hasan Khan (2-30) after HBL Schoolboys Whites was put in the driving seat by their top-order batsmen Waleed Khan (54 off 73 balls), Wajid Nasir (35 off 35 balls) and Owais Butt (28 off 47 balls). Muaz Bin Salman of Beaconhouse School North Nazimabad, who also picked up a wicket in his five-over spell of leg-spin besides scoring an unbeaten half century, was declared Man of the Match. 

The other quarter-final, featuring St Paul High School and Beaconhouse School PECHS, also went to the wire. Beaconhouse School PECHS was bowled out for 175 in 35 overs and St Paul High School lost eight wickets before finally reaching the target in the penultimate over. 

Leg-spinner Fahad Irfan (4-27), assisted by left-arm spinner Hamza Khan (2-10) and medium-pacer Mohammad Hasnain (2-22), wrecked the Beaconhouse School PECHS innings after enterprising knocks from Huzaifa Ahmed (44 off 45 balls) and Hammad Khan (28 off 27 balls) in the early overs. 

Chasing a target of 176 in 40 overs, St Paul High School lost wickets at regular intervals to be reduced to 111 for six despite Umar Abdullah’s 45 off 102 balls. With off-spinner Mazahir Walji (3-25) delivering an outstanding spell, Beaconhouse School PECHS sensed victory when they claimed eighth wicket. 

It was Mohammad Kashan’s brilliant unbeaten knock, under pressure, turned the tide decisively in favour of St Paul High School. He remained undefeated on 36 off 40 balls as the winning runs came with only eight deliveries to spare.

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Fahad Academy, Kamran Public cruise into HBL Inter-Schools Cricket semifinals

Pakistan News & Features Services

Fahad Academy and Kamran Public School cruised into the semifinals of the HBL Inter-Schools Cricket Tournament 2014, being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), by taming their respective rivals in the quarter-finals.

Fahad Academy defeated HBL Schoolboys Greens by 71 runs at the Karachi Gymkhana Cricket Ground while Kamran Public School overwhelmed Khan Secondary School by seven wickets at the TMC Ground. 

Electing to bat first, after calling correctly, Fahad Academy posted a total of 229 for nine in the allotted 40 overs. Then they bowled out their opponents for 158 in 36.5 overs to win the match comprehensively. 

The 63-run brisk opening stand between Babar Hussain (56 off 46 balls) and Mohammad Saleem (29 off 27 balls) put Fahad Academy in commanding position but HBL Schoolboys Greens fought back through off-spinner Mohammad Yousuf, who grabbed five wickets for 40 runs. 

Zafar Mandani and Tauseef Khan revived Fahad Academy with useful knocks. Zafar remained undefeated on 56 off 59 balls after Tauseef was dismissed for 43 off 59 balls. They allowed their team to reach a fighting score of 229. 

Set to score 230 in 40 overs, HBL Schoolboys Greens lost three early wickets. The 61-run fourth wicket stand between opener Syed Amin (36 off 63 balls) and Nadir Awan (42 off 48 balls) brought them back into contention but another collapse saw them lose their last seven wickets for 48 runs. 

Left-arm spinner Arsalan Shah (3-41) was the pick of the Fahad Academy bowlers but his teammate Zafar Mandani was adjudged Man of the Match for his unbeaten half century. 

In the other quarter-final, Khan Secondary School, who batted first after winning the toss, was spun out for 125 in 32.5 overs by Kamran Public School who raced to the target of 126 in just 12.2 overs. 

The spin trio of Mohammad Bin Junaid (4-21), Ubaidullah (2-12) and Ammad Alam (2-31) sent Khan Secondary School tumbling to a low score with only Faizan Shaikh (27 off 36 balls) and Hasan Bashir (20 off 35 balls) offering some resistance. 

Set a modest target of 126 in 40 overs, Kamran Public School went after the bowling from the start of their innings. The tone was set by the skipper himself as Ammad Alam, who opened the innings, hammered 22 off 11 balls. 

The momentum was sustained by number three Hasan Mohsin who smashed 11 boundaries in his whirlwind 60 off 37 balls. S M Hasnain remained undefeated on 27 off 20 balls with the help of four boundaries as the winning runs came in only the 13th over. The Man of the Match award, however, was picked up by off-spinner Mohammad Bin Junaid for his four-wicket haul.

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