Spinners dominate in HBL Inter-Schools Cricket

Pakistan News & Features Services

The spinners dominated the latest round of league matches in the HBL Inter-Schools Cricket Tournament 2014, being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA). 

The spin duo of Farman Sadiq and Mohammad Shahzad powered Behbud Secondary School to a crushing eight-wicket victory over Ladybird Grammar School in their Group A encounter at the TMC Ground while leg-spinner Umair Arshad’s six-wicket haul helped Habib Public School to edge out Army Public School by three wickets in a low-scoring Group B fixture at the KCCA Stadium. 

Ladybird Grammar School, who elected to bat after winning the toss against Behbud Secondary School, collapsed dramatically after a solid 42-run opening stand provided by Mohammad Kamal and Waleed Farooqui. 

The introduction of spin created a sensation as they lost all their 10 wickets for only 21 runs to be bowled out for 63 in 19.2 overs. Off-spinner Farman Sadiq rocked them with the figures of five for 10 while left-arm spinner Mohammad Shahzad grabbed four wickets for 16 runs. 

Farman Sadiq followed his five-for with 18 off as many balls to be adjudged Man of the Match as Behbud Secondary School needed only eight overs to reach the modest target of 64. Mohammad Arif smashed four boundaries in his unbeaten 22 off 17 balls. 

The other game, featuring Habib Public School and Army Public School, was a keenly contested one and the outcome remained in doubt until the very end. Batting first, Army Public School was indebted to opener Arsalan Khan (42 off 47 balls) to have taken them to a total of 112 despite the brilliant bowling from leg-spinner Umair Arshad (6-23) after medium-pacers Mohammad Faraz (2-8) and Ahmed Kabir (2-22) had devastated the top-order. 

Needing 113 in 40 overs, Habib Public School found themselves reeling at 79 for seven despite Ahmed Kabir’s 23 off 24 balls. 

The Army Public School bowlers, particularly medium-pacer Abdul Rahman (2-33), did well to keep the contest alive while defending a small total. Army Public School also sensed a possible win as they needed the last three wickets with their opponents requiring 34 runs. 

Zubair Aslam (22 off 26 balls) and Mohammad Faraz (12 off 17 balls), however added 34 priceless runs for their unbroken eighth wicket stand to take Habib Public School to victory with nearly 10 overs to spare. The Man of the Match award was clinched by their teammate Umair Arshad for his six wickets.

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GBSS School Metroville SITE, New Standard Grammar School register victories in HBL Inter-Schools Cricket

Pakistan News & Features Services

Government Boys Secondary School Metroville SITE and New Standard Grammar School registered victories over their respective rivals in the latest matches of the HBL Inter-School Cricket Tournament 2014, being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA). 

GBSS School Metroville SITE crushed Qamar-e-Bani Hashim School by 225 runs in their Group G encounter at the KCCA Stadium while New Standard Grammar School defeated Zeeeshan Secondary School by four wickets in their Group D fixture at the TMC Ground. 

Batting first, after winning the toss, GBSS School Metroville SITE posted a mammoth total of 341 in 39.4 overs with opener Abdul Ghani Subhan (90 off 65 balls), Rafiullah (74 off 51 balls) and Tahir Marwat (64 off 45 balls) scoring at a brisk pace. 

The score could have been even taller if medium-pacer Mohammad Mustafa (3-53) and off-spinner Shan Abbas (3-60) didn’t pick wickets regularly. Their consolation was bowling their opponents out inside 40 overs. 

Set a demanding target of 342, Qamar-e-Bani Hashim School crumbled under the scoreboard pressure to be bowled out for 118 in 24.5 overs. Azfar Hasan (46 off 35 balls) was the only batsman to come to terms with spin trio of Mudassar Abbas (3-27), Shoaib Roz (2-7) and Abdul Ghani Subhan (2-49). Abdul Ghani Subhan of GBSS School Metroville SITE was ajudged Man of the Match for his fine all-round performance.

In the day’s other match, Zeeeshan Secondary School was routed for 138 in 36.2 overs by New Standard Grammar School. Mr Extras turned out to be the topscorer with 34 while opener Mohammad Ali (28 off 44 balls) and Mirza Burhan Baig (24 off 55 balls) were the only ones to get some sort of a start. 

Leg-spinner Abdul Mannan, who was declared Man of the Match, wrecked the innings with the impressive figures of four for 26 off eight overs while medium-pacer Nabeel Khan captured three wickets for 17 runs, also off eight overs. 

Zeeeshan Secondary School fought back through medium-pacer Mohammad Asim, who picked up four wickets for 18 runs in four overs. The match became wide open when New Standard Grammar School was reduced to 52 for four. 

Their recovery was led by Ata-ur-Rahman who made a breezy 41 off 36 balls with the help of one six and five fours. Nabeel Khan’s unbeaten 28 off 35 balls took New Standard Grammar School to the target of 139 in 19.3 overs. Osama Khan was the other not out batsman with 13 off five balls.

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