Lahore, 9 November 2023: The triangular stage of the National U19 Championship 2023-24 was played from 29 October to 8 November across two venues – the Lahore Country Club in Muridke and Rana Naveed Cricket Academy in Sheikhupura. Peshawar U19, Bahawalpur U19 and Karachi Whites U19 had qualified for the triangular stage after ending the first round on top of their respective groups. The three teams played two games each in the triangular stage with all matches ending as draws. On the basis of points awarded on first-innings lead, Peshawar U19 and Karachi Whites U19 qualified for the final of the National U19 Championship, to be played on 10 to 13 November at the Lahore Country Club in Muridke.
Peshawar U19 v Bahawalpur U19 at Lahore Country Club, Muridke:
Peshawar U19 won the toss and decided to bowl first against Bahawalpur U19 at Lahore Country Club, Muridke, in the first match of the triangular stage of the National U19 Championship, played from 29 to 31 October.
Mohammad Farhan (45, 120b, 3x4s, 1x6) and Sarfraz Riasat (27, 63b, 4x4s) helped Bahawalpur U19 get to 143 all out in 58.4 overs in the first innings. Mohammad Irfan took three wickets while Syed Hussain Shah, Mohammad Shoaib Afridi and Anees Khan bagged two wickets each.
In response, Peshawar U19 put a mammoth total of 357-9 in 75 overs. Mohammad Zulkifal (144, 135b, 13x4s, 4x6s) was the star performer for the side. Afkar Durrani (65, 116b, 6x4s, 1x6) and Mohammad Zubair (52, 85b, 6x4s) were the other contributors with the bat. Mohammad Faizan and Naseer Khan grabbed three wickets each.
Bahawalpur bettered on their initial total and were bowled out for 335 in 134.4 overs. Mohammad Danish (56, 113b, 5x4s, 1x6) and Sameer Akhtar (42, 99b, 5x4s) played crucial knocks to keep their team in the game. Hussain returned with a four-fer, Irfan, with three wickets, and Shoaib, with two wickets, replicated their first-innings’ performance.
Peshawar made 57-2 in the nine overs they batted for before the captains shook their hands and the game was drawn.
Peshawar U19 v Karachi Whites U19 at Lahore Country Club, Muridke:
Peshawar U19 were asked to bat first by Karachi Whites U19 in the second match of the triangular stage of National U19 Championship, played from 2 to 4 November at Lahore Country Club, Muridke.
Peshawar U19 declared after scoring 335-6 in 75 overs. Mohammad Zulkifal, who smashed an unbeaten double century (204 not out, 197b, 20x4s, 7x6s), was the highlight of the innings. Baseer Shah, Naveed Ahmed Khan and Mohammad Fahad Ameen claimed two wickets apiece.
Karachi Whites U19 responded by declaring at 328-8 in 75 overs. Wicketkeeper-batter Mirza Saad Baig (102, 115b, 14x4s, 2x6s) was the highest scorer for the side. Haroon Arshad (71, 109b, 9x4s) and Ali Hassan (54 not out, 72b, 3x4s, 2x6s) were the other contributors with the bat. Ahmed Hussain registered a four-wicket haul while Mohammad Shoaib Afridi grabbed three wickets.
In their second batting attempt, Peshawar U19 were dismissed for 230 in 90.5 overs. Ahmed Hussain (67, 134b, 5x4s, 3x6s) and Afkar Durani (67, 152b, 7x4s, 1x6) were the prominent scorers. Naveed Ahmed Khan claimed a six-wicket haul while Baseer Shah had two wickets to his name.
In turn, Karachi Whites scored 52-3 in 9 overs before the match was drawn. Mohammad Shoaib Afridi took all three wickets.
Karachi Whites U19 v Bahawalpur U19 at Rana Naveed Cricket Academy, Sheikhupura:
Bahawalpur U19 won the toss and elected to bat first at Rana Naveed Cricket Academy, Sheikhupura, in the third match of the triangular stage of the National U19 Championship, played from 6 to 8 November.
They were dismissed for 218 in 74.3 overs, owing to a solid performance by the Karachi Whites U19 bowlers. Abdul Moiz registered a four-wicket haul, while Naveed Ahmed Khan got three scalps. Amin Ahmed also bagged two wickets. Mohammad Farhan scored a fighting half-century (64, 107b, 6x4s). He was helped by Mohammad Faizan, who contributed 31 from 67, including two fours and a six.
In response, Karachi Whites U19 declared after getting to 359-9 in 74.5 overs. Haroon Arshad was the star performer for his side, smashing 131 from 184, including 11 fours and a six. Mirza Saad Baig (78, 84b, 8x4s, 4x6s) and Ali Hassan (61, 96b, 6x4s, 2x6s) scored half-centuries as well. Hamza Nawaz and Mohammad Hamid claimed three wickets each and Naseer Khan accounted for two wickets.
Bahawalpur U19 were then bowled out for 204 in 73.2 overs. Naveed Ahmed Khan returned with three wickets while Baseer Shah and Amin Ahmed got two apiece. Haseeb Ahmed scored a half-century (57, 110b, 5x4s). Mohammad Faizan remained unbeaten at 49 off 119, including one boundary.
The match was drawn without Karachi Whites U19 getting to bat for a second time.
Scores in brief:
Match drawn between Peshawar U19 and Bahawalpur U19
Bahawalpur U19 143 all out, 58.4 overs (Mohammad Farhan 45, Sarfraz Riasat 27; Mohammad Irfan 3-15, Syed Hussain Shah 2-23, Anees Khan 2-28, Mohammad Shoaib Afridi 2-44) and 335 all out, 134.4 overs (Mohammad Danish 56, Sameer Akhtar 42; Syed Hussain Shah 4-60, Mohammad Irfan 3-54, Mohammad Shoaib Afridi 2-58)
Peshawar U19 357-9 dec, 75 overs (Mohammad Zulkifal 144, Afkar Durrani 65, Mohammad Zubair 52; Naseer Khan 3-50, Mohammad Faizan 3-70) and 57-2, 9 overs (Afkar Durrani 21 not out; Salman Ahmed 1-24, Naseer Khan 1-32)
Match drawn between Peshawar U19 and Karachi Whites U19
Peshawar U19 335-6 dec, 75 overs (Mohammad Zulkifal 204 not out, Anees Khan 36; Baseer Shah 2-30, Naveed Ahmed Khan 2-51, Mohammad Fahad Ameen 2-75) and 230 all out, 90.5 overs (Ahmed Hussain 67, Afkar Durrani 67; Naveed Ahmed Khan 6-85, Baseer Shah 2-32)
Karachi Whites U19 328-8 dec, 75 overs (Mirza Saad Baig 102, Haroon Arshad 71, Ali Hassan 54 not out; Ahmed Hussain 4-72, Mohammad Shoaib Afridi 3-44) and 52-3, 9 overs (Mohammad Shoaib Afridi 3-15)
Match drawn between Karachi Whites U19 and Bahawalpur U19
Bahawalpur U19 218 all out, 74.3 overs (Mohammad Farhan 64, Mohammad Faizan 31; Abdul Moiz 4-59, Naveed Ahmed Khan 3-30, Amin Ahmed 2-52) and 204 all out, 73.2 overs (Haseeb Ahmed 57, Mohammad Faizan 49 not out; Naveed Ahmed Khan 3-38, Amin Ahmed 2-27, Baseer Shah 2-55)
Karachi Whites U19 359-9 dec, 74.5 overs (Haroon Arshad 131, Mirza Saad Baig 78, Ali Hassan 61; Hamza Nawaz 3-44, Mohammad Hamid 3-54, Naseer Khan 2-31)
