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Karachi CDC registered a thrilling five-run victory over Quetta Seniors in the latest encounter of the 17th National Seniors Cup Cricket Tournament 2015, being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA).
Nadeem Shaikh’s century enabled Karachi CDC to post a competitive total of 180 for five in the stipulated 22 overs. Brilliant knocks from Naseem Khan and Ziauddin put Quetta Seniors in winning position but a dramatic collapse saw them lose five wickets for only three runs and they fell six runs short of the target.
A record number of 109 teams from all over the country have entered the tournament, which got underway on January 18. The annual event, which will be played over three months, is being sponsored by IMI Omar (Pvt) Ltd and Arif Habib Group.
Electing to bat, after winning the toss, Karachi CDC lost a couple of early wickets.
Opener Nadeem Shaikh, who hammered 16 boundaries in his 106 off 68 balls, took charge by adding exactly one hundred for the third wicket with Fayyaz whose contribution was 36 off 29 balls with the help of one six and two fours.
Left-arm spinner Aziz Tunio grabbed a couple of wickets for 21 runs which prevented quick runs in the death overs and the local side had to settle with a score of 180.
Chasing a target of 181 in 22 overs, Quetta Seniors moved in the driving seat with the wonderful 134-run second wicket stand between opener Ziauddin and number three Naseem Khan. While Ziauddin was content in playing second fiddle, Naseem blasted the bowling attack.
Ziauddin contributed a sedate 57 off 50 balls with the aid of four boundaries and Naseem hammered one six and 14 fours in his rapid 90 off 46 balls. Their dismissal changed the complexion of the game.
Left-arm spinners Kamran Umar (3-24) and Fariduddin (3-38) caused the slump and bowled Karachi CDC to victory which had looked unlikely until few moments ago. The Man of the Match award, however, was clinched by their teammate Nadeem Shaikh for his fluent century.
