Lahore, 12 October 2023: The fourth round of the National U19 Cup was played in five cities - Karachi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Sargodha over two days on 10 and 11 October. The 18 teams playing the tournament have been sorted in three groups. Following the completion of the fourth round, Karachi Whites continue their reign over group A, owing to better NRR compared to Faisalabad, with both the team having three wins in four games so far. In group B, due to a better NRR than Multan, Rawalpindi remain securely placed at the first position on the table. Abbottabad, undefeated in four games, continue to comfortably sit on top of Group C.
Group A
Karachi Whites, after defeating AJK by three wickets at UBL Sports Complex in Karachi, continue to occupy the top position on the table. AJK were bowled out for 157 in 42.3 overs. Husnain Nadeem (36, 59b, 3x4s) and Dawood Shah (36, 52b, 3x4s) were the top scorers for the side. Karachi’s Naveed Ahmed Khan returned with four wickets, while Syed Tayyab Hussain and Wahaj Riaz got two wickets apiece.On the back of Haroon Arshad (69, 80b, 9x4s) and Mirza Saad Baig (46, 27b, 9x4s), the side succumbed the target easily, scoring 161 for seven in just 32.2 overs. AJK occupy the fifth position on the table.
Faisalabad, who are second on the table, won by six wickets against Hyderabad at KCCA Stadium, Karachi. Hyderabad now sit on the last spot. Zain ul Abideen (79, 116, 3x4s, 2x6s) was the only notable batter for Hyderabad as the side was dismissed for 151 in 44.1 overs in the first innings. Mohammad Zeeshan and Shaban Saeed had three wickets. In return, the chasing side found success in just 26.4 overs, losing four wickets in the process. Mohammad Abubakr Dar (66 not out, 58b, 6x4s, 2x6s) was the top scorer for Faisalabad.
FATA defeated Quetta by six wickets at the Oval Ground, Karachi. Consequently, they occupy the third and fourth positions respectively. Quetta were dismissed for just 110 runs in 28.3 overs; Sumair Ahmed who scored 18 runs from 32 balls and hit three boundaries, was the highest scorer for the side. Adnan Ahmed registered a five-fer. The target was chased in just 19 overs. Hafeez Afridi (44, 56b, 5x4s, 1x6) was the top scorer.
Group B
Rawalpindi continue their dominant run at the top after defeating Larkana by a mammoth 117 runs at Bohranwali Ground, Faisalabad. On the backs of half-centuries by Mohammad Arshad (86, 81b, 12x4s, 2x6s), Saad Masood (53, 54b, 6x4s, 1x6) and Sheraz Khan (50, 36b, 3x4s, 3x6s), the side got to 291 in 49.3 overs. Baseer Ahmed got three wickets for Larkana. In response, Larkana could only make 174 runs in 42.2 overs. Usman Khan got four wickets and Umar Habib got three wickets. Shahzaib Ali’s half-century (59, 79b, 7x4s, 1x6) went in vain. Larkana are currently on the fourth position.
The second spot is occupied by Multan who defeated Lahore Blues by three wickets at Saeed Ajmal Academy, Faisalabad. The third spot on the table is held by Lahore who scored 220 runs in 47.5 overs; Ali Zoraiz Asif (68, 95b, 9x4s) was the top scorer. Moheer Saeed bagged three wickets while Mohammad Shahzad had four wickets to his name. Multan chased the target in 46.5 overs. Sharjeel Hassan (61, 66b, 8x4s, 1x6) was the top run-getterfor the side.
Peshawar and Islamabad are fifth and sixth on the table. Peshawar defeated Islamabad by three wickets at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad. On the backs of performances by Shamyl Hussain (57, 78b, 5x4s, 2x6s) and Raja Hamza Waheed (47, 71b, 2x4s. 2x6s), Islamabad got to 213 runs, losing eight wickets in the process. Najab Khan, Danyal Ashfaq and Abdullah Khan bagged two wickets each. Najab was also the star performer with the bat for Peshawar, scoring an unbeaten century (114 not out, 108b, 9x4s, 3x6s). He was supported by Imran Ali, who scored 49 from 88 balls including three boundaries and a maximum as the side chased down the target in 49.5 overs.
Group C
Abbottabad inflicted a heavy defeat of 171 runs at Karachi Blues at Jinnah Stadium, Gujranwala, in a game that had a delayed start. Consequently, the winning side reign at the top. Karachi occupy the bottom spot. Owing to two centuries in the innings, courtesy of Mohammad Riazullah (112, 118, 11x4s) and Shujah Zaheer (104, 105b, 11x4s, 1x6), Abbottabad posted 282 in 47 overs in the first innings, while losing five wickets in the process. Owais Raheem Shah got three wickets for Karachi. In turn, the chasing side was bowled out for just 111 runs in 22.3 overs. Aftab Ahmed got five wickets and Salaar Ahmed returned with three wickets. Zaeem Rizvi (42, 43b, 6x4s, 1x6) was the highest scorer for Karachi.
Sialkot retain the second position on the table after their game against Lahore Whites at Rana Naveed ul Hasan Cricket Academy, Sheikhupura was abandoned without a ball being bowled. Lahore Whites are currently fourth-ranked on the table.
Dera Murad Jamali defeated Bahawalpur by eight wickets at Sports Stadium, Sargodha. Bahawalpur scored 182 in 46.4 overs owing to Haseeb Ahmed’s half-century (56, 71b, 5x4s, 2x6s). Muzamil Ali and Mohsin Ali had three wickets each. DM Jamali chased the target in 42.5 overs; Duniya Khan was the top-scorer with 95 runs coming from 111 balls, including 13 boundaries and a maximum. Mohammad Yousaf (44 not out, 59b, 5x4s) was the other contender with the bat. Despite suffering a loss, Bahawalpur continue to occupy the third spot. DM Jamali sit on the fifth position.
The next round of games will be played on 17 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 Stadium, Sargodha
Abbottabad v Sialkot at Rana Naveed Academy, Sheikhupura
