Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE:-Southern Punjab Blues defeated Northern Blues by five wickets to top Group B and qualify for Monday’s final in the National U16 Cup against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Whites, which had topped Group A on Friday.
Southern Punjab not only needed to beat Northern but also had to improve their net run-rate. And they achieved both with success as they first dismissed Norrhern for 190 and then achieved the target for the loss of five wickets in 43.3 overs. This meant Southern Punjab finished with a net run-rate of 0.93, while Northern ended with a net run-rate of 0.78.
The stars of Southern Punjab’s win were Mohammad Jansher, who took four for 40, and batters Sameeer Akhtar (45), Zain Arshad (41) and Mohammad Saqib (35 not out). For Northern, Mohammad Bilal was the top scorer with 58, while Syed Ali Mehdi scored 53. With the ball. Mohammad Nabeel took three for 38.
At the Multan Cricket Stadium, Farhan Yousuf scored 84 not out with 12 fours and a six as Central Punjab Blues achieved the 172-run target in 33.3 overs to defeat Sindh Blues by seven wickets. The result meant Central Punjab finished third with five wins, while Sindh finished with two wins in fourth place.
Sindh Blues’ 171 for seven revolved around Syed Yahya Shah and Sufyan Usmani, who scored 66 and 51, respectively. Mohammad Usman took two for 38.
At the Divisional Sports Ground, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Blues defeated Balochistan Blues by 108 runs. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa finished fifth, while Balochistan Blues remained winless in the tournament.
Batting first Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were all out for 195 in 45 overs with Shahzaib Khan top-scoring with 59, Usman Khan contributing 29 and Mian Yousuf Shah chipping in 28. Talha Shakir, Bakhtiyar, Syed Yasir Shah and Anees Khan took two wickets each.
In turn, Balochistan Blues were dismissed for 89 in 22.1 overs with Abdul Saboor top-scoring with 46. Ahmed Hussain was the most successful bowler with four for 19, while Mohammad Ubaidullah took three for 11.
Scores in brief:
Southern Punjab Blues beat Northern Blues by five wickets at MCC Cricket ground
Northern Blues 190 all out, 45 overs (Mohammad Bilal 58, Syed Ali Mehdi 53, Mohammad Jansher 4-30, Inamullah 2-13, Salman Ahmed 2-46)
Southern Punjab Blues 192-5, 43.3 overs (Sameer Akhtar 45, Zain Arshad 41, Mohammad Saqib 35 not out, Sameer Ahmed 22; Mohammad Nabeel 3-38)
Central Punjab Blues beat Sindh Blues by seven wickets at Multan Cricket Stadium
Sindh Blues 171 for seven, 42 overs (Syed Yahya Shah 66, Sufyan Usmani 51, Saifullah Khan 21; Mohammad Usman 2-38)
Central Punjab Blues 173-3, 33.3 overs (Farhan Yousuf 84 not out, Mohammad Areeb 34 not out; Mawaz Zahid 2-33)
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Blues beat Balochistan Blues by 108 runs at Divisional Sports Complex, Multan
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Blues 197 all out, 45 overs (Shahzaib Khan 59, Usman Khan 29, Mian Yousuf Shah 28; Talha Shakir 2-25, Bakhtiyar 2-31, Syed Yasir Shah 2-34, Anees Khan 2-38)
Balochistan Blues 89 all out, 22.1 overs (Abdul Saboor 46; Ahmed Hussain 4-19, Mohammad Ubaidullah 3-11)
