Pakistan News & Features Services
Fahad Academy advanced to the quarter-finals of the HBL Inter-School Cricket Tournament 2014, being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), by edging out Qadri Model School by three wickets in their Group D fixture at the KCCA Stadium.
In another match, Beaconhouse School PECHS trounced Fatimiyah Boys School by eight wickets at the SKBZ Ground to consolidate their position in the Group B.
Leg-spinner Adeel Irshad, with a five-wicket haul, played the key role in earning third successive win for Fahad Academy who also emerged as the Group D champions. He was adjudged Man of the Match.
Electing to bat, after winning the toss, Qadri Model School was bowled out for 167 in 39.1 overs with Umaid Ahmed (44 off 55 balls) being their scorer. Badar Qureshi remained undefeated on 29 off 23 balls while S M Shaheer made 20 off 29 balls. The innings was wrecked by leg-spinner Adeel Irshad (5-31).
Set to score 168 in 40 overs, Fahad Academy got off to a flying start as openers Babar Huusain (30 off 19 balls) and Mohammad Saleem (24 off 32 balls) put on 61 runs for the first wicket in rapid time.
Left-arm Badar Qureshi opened up the game by picking up four wickets in quick succession and it needed fighting knocks from Zahid Madani (33 off 40 balls) and Mohammad Nawab (22 off 23 balls) to take Fahad Academy to the target with just 2.1 overs remaining.
Beaconhouse School PECHS proved too good for Fatimiyah Boys School to register their second victory in as many outings during the competition.
Batting first, Fatimiyah Boys School found themselves reeling at 61 for eight. The 67-run ninth wicket partnership between Mohammad Hasnain (29 off 36 balls) and Syed Mustajab (27 off 116 balls) allowed them to reach a total of 128.
Left-arm spinner Humair Ahmed (4-30), who was the pick of the bowlers, was later declared Man of the Match. He was supported by medium-pacer Zain Khan (2-22) and left-arm spinner Huzaifa Ahmed (2-24).
Chasing a target of 129 in 40 overs, Beaconhouse School PECHS lost a wicket early but enterprising half centuries from opener Hammad Hasan and number three Rohail Ahmed helped them get it in a matter of only 16 overs.
Hammad Hasan perished after scoring 50 off 45 balls with the help of one six and seven but Rohail Ahmed remained undefeated on 53 off 32 balls, whacking three sixes and five fours.
