Lahore, 10 October 2023: The fourth round of the 18-team National U19 Championship was played in five cities of the country from 6 to 9 October. After the fourth round, Karachi Whites are leading Group A with four wins in as many matches. In Group B, Peshawar occupy the top spot, due to a better NRR than Multan, as the two sides both have two wins each. In Group C, Bahawalpur are reigning at the top of the table after three wins in four games.
Group A
Karachi Whites top the table for group after the fourth round of the National U19 Championship. They defeated AJK by an innings and 70 runs at the United Bank Limited Sports Complex Karachi, owing to an unbeaten double century by Mirza Saad Baig (202 not out, 211b, 19x4s, 6x4s). He was supported by Haroon Arshad (95, 135b, 9x4s) and a brilliant bowling performance by Syed Tayyab Hussain, who gathered eight wickets across the two innings, which included six-fer in the first innings. Despite fighting half-centuries by Ali Abbas Khan (74, 140b, 14x4s) and Husnain Nadeem (54, 94b, 6x4s, 1x6), AJK could not stand their ground in the game. They now sit on the fourth position.
Faisalabad, who occupy the second position at the table, defeated Hyderabad by nine wickets at the Karachi City Cricket Association Ground. Mohammad Areeb Arif (85, 131b, 6x4s) and Mohammad Abubakr Dar (78, 135b, 5x4s, 1x6) helped with the bat. The Faisalabad bowlers produced a collective bowling effort, which enforced a follow-on for Hyderabad after they were bowled out for 96 in the first innings. Ibtisam ul Rehman, who had six wickets across the two innings, was the highest wicket-taker for the side. Syed Yahya Shah (62, 96b, 4x4s) was the highest scorer for Hyderabad in the second innings as they were bundled out for 186 in 57.3 overs. Hyderabad are now placed on the fifth position on the points table.
After defeating Quetta by an innings and 91 runs at the Oval Cricket Ground, FATA take the third position on the table. Quetta are at the very bottom. Shahid Khan (88, 113b, 9x4s, 1x6) and Khubaib Khalil (83, 80b, 15x4s) contributed with the bat as FATA declared their first innings on 347 for nine in 74 overs.
Quetta, in their first innings were dismissed for 111 in 29.4 overs. Khubaib Khalil and Mohammad Tahir bagged four wickets apiece.
After being enforced a follow-on, Quetta were dismissed for 145 in 45.4 overs. Mohammad Tahir, who had four-fer in the first innings, went on to pick another four-wicket haul in the second innings.
Group B
Peshawar stand on top of the table after defeating Islamabad by an innings and 94 runs, at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. Najab Khan was the highest scorer for Peshawar, getting an undefeated 154 from 197 balls including six boundaries and five maximums. Peshawar declared their first innings on 321 for six in 75 overs in return to Islamabad’s first innings score of 114 in 43.1 overs. Syed Hussain Shah took four wickets for 31 runs, while Ahmad Hussain bagged three wickets for 17 runs.
In their second innings, Islamabad were bowled out for 113 in 37.5 overs. Anees Khan took four wickets for 46, while Ahmad Hussain bagged three wickets for 22. Islamabad have moved to the fifth position after the heavy loss they suffered.
At the Saeed Ajmal International Cricket Academy, Multan won against Lahore Blues by 123 runs. Aqib Asghar had a seven-wicket-haul, making him the pick of the bowlers. Moheer Saeed (75, 117b, 8x4s, 2x6s) and Sameer Minhas (70, 92b, 12x4s, 1x6) were the high scorers for Multan in their first innings score of 325 all out in 72.2 overs.
Saad Nadeem took four wickets for 68 runs in 15 overs. Mohammad Waseem Haider grabbed three wickets for 48 runs.
In return, Lahore Blues’ were dismissed for 233 in 65.2 overs. Captain Obaid Shahid top-scored for his side with a 130-ball 65, hitting seven boundaries.
With a 93-run lead, Multan were bundled out for 155 in 45.4 overs. Opening captain Moheer Saeed top-scored with a 37-ball 47, hitting eight fours and a six.
For Lahore Blues’ Saad Nadeem took six wickets for 67 runs.
Chasing 248 runs to win, Lahore Blues’ were dismissed for 124 in 37.1 overs. Mohammad Aqib Asghar, left-arm orthodox was the most successful bowler, taking seven wickets for 43 in 15.1 overs.
Lahore’s defeat brought the side to last position on the table.
Larkana, despite winning against Rawalpindi by 38 runs at the Bohranwali Ground Faisalabad, occupy the fourth position, behind Rawalpindi who remain at three.
Batting first, Larkana were dismissed for 177 in 39.5 overs. Shahzaib Aziz top-scored with run-a-ball 44, hitting eight fours. Aamir Hassan took four wickets for 61.
In turn, Rawalpindi were bowled out for 150 in 43.5 overs with opening batter Shahmeer Ali top-scoring for his side with a 77-ball 52, hitting eight fours.
Larkana’s Aftab Hussain, Muhammad Mustafa and Saqlain Nawaz bagged three wickets each.
With a 21-run first innings lead, Larkana were dismissed for 101 in 38.1 overs, handing Rawalpindi a 123-run to win the match. Rawalpindi’s Mohammad Ilyas Akram bagged five wickets for 25 runs.
In the run-chase, Rawalpindi were dismissed for 90 in 23 overs. Shahzaib Aziz took six wickets in the second innings for the winning team.
Group C
Bahawalpur defeated DM Jamali by six wickets at Jinnah Stadium, Gujranwala, consequently taking the lead on the points table for the third group. Sameer Akhtar, who scored 63 runs from 113 balls and hit eight boundaries and a maximum, was the highest scorer for Bahawalpur in the match.
DM Jamali were dismissed for 154 in 51.3 overs. Duniya Khan top-scored for side, scoring 54 off 53 balls, smashing seven boundaries. Bahawalpur’s Mohammad Faizan was the most successful bowler taking four wickets for 35.
In turn, Bahawalpur took a 40-run first innings lead as the side were bowled out for 194 in 68.1 overs. DM Jamali’s Muzamil Ali took four wickets.
In the third innings of the match, DM Jamali were dismissed for 157 in 51.4 overs, handing a 118-run target for Bahawalpur to win.
Mohammad Huzaifa, who bagged three wickets in the first innings, went on to pick six wickets in the second innings and ended-up with match figures of nine wickets for 71 runs.across the two innings. Two half-centuries by Duniya Khan (54, 53b, 7x4s and 52, 68b, 7x4s) went in vain as DM Jamali could not get over the line. They occupy the fifth position on the table.
In reply, Bahawalpur chased down the target in the 43rd over with six wickets in hand. Sameer Akhtar top-scored for his side, scoring a 113-ball 63, which included eight fours and a six.
At CSS Cricket Ground Sialkot, Abbottabad defeated Karachi Blues by an innings and 53 runs, taking them to the second spot on the table. Karachi Blues occupy the fourth position.
In reply to Karachi’s first innings score of 193 all out, Abbottabad’s Shahzaib Khan (123, 164b, 16x4s, 6x6s) was the top-scorer in the game, followed by Shujah Zaheer who scored 83 from 98 balls including 10 fours – both in Abbottabad first innings score of 339 for nine declared in 73.1 overs.
In turn, Abbottabad’s Aftab Ahmed registered a five-fer in the second innings to dismiss Karachi Blues for 93 in 22 overs. . Zaeem Rizvi (68 not out, 104b, 11x4s) was the highest scorer for the losing side.
Sialkot inflicted a 10-wicket defeat over Lahore Whites at the Rana Naveed Academy Sheikhupura. Subsequently, Lahore remain at the bottom of the table while Sialkot sit on the third sport. Mohammad Tayab Arif scored a century (115, 156b, 17x4s, 1x6). He was supported by Moosa Azeem (60, 79b, 5x4s). Ahmed Hassan and Mohammad Shaban registered four-fers while Ali Raza got a six-wicket-haul. Solid knocks by Ali Hasan Baloch (93, 174b, 13x4s, 1x6) and Hafiz Usman Nadeem (90, 132b, 11x4s, 1x6) did not amount to much for Lahore, as Sialkot won the game comfortably.
The next round of games are set to commence on 13 October. The fixtures are as follows:
Group A
Faisalabad v Karachi Whites at Oval Ground Karachi
Quetta v Hyderabad at United Bank Limited Sports Complex Karachi
FATA v AJK at Karachi City Cricket Association Ground
Group B
Lahore Blues v Islamabad at Iqbal Stadium Faisalabad
Rawalpindi v Peshawar at Bohranwali Faisalabad
Multan v Larkana at Saeed Ajmal International Cricket Ground Faisalabad
Group C
Lahore Whites v DM Jamali at Jinnah Stadium Gujranwala
Bahawalpur v Karachi Blues at Sports StadiumSargodha
Abbottabad v Sialkot at Rana Naveed Academy Sheikhupura
