Bits and Pieces

Karbala Heroes Quetta crowned champions

By our correspondent

KARACHI: Karbala Heroes Quetta were crowned champions when they defeated AO clinic by nine runs in an enthralling final of the 22nd Dr MA Shah Night Trophy here at the Asghar Ali Shah Stadium on Friday night.

Chasing a stiff target of 187, AO Clinic were skittled out for 177 runs in 19.3 overs. It was left-arm spinner Waseem Qureshi (3-7) who did a remarkable job for the victorious side as he completed a fine hat-trick, the first of the event. Khushdil Shah, known for his batting exploits, got 2-28.

Shahbaz Javed top-scored with 27 off 39 balls, striking two sixes and two fours. Young all-rounder Kamran Ghulam smashed a 20-ball 35 with six fours and one six. Ali Tipu made a 17-ball 23, hammering two sixes and one four. Jehandad Khan made an 18-ball 22 with two sixes.

Earlier, Karbala Heroes posted 186-7 with Sami-ur-Rahman hitting a 40-ball 71. He hammered six sixes and seven fours in his gallant knock.

Fawad Khan struck a 46-ball 63, hitting three sixes and eight fours. Waseem Qureshi smashed 19 off nine balls which included one six and one four.

Left-arm spinner Kamran Ghulam was the pick of the bowlers with 2-26.

Senior Minister and President Pakistan Peoples Party Sindh Nisar Ahmed Khuhro distributed the prizes.

Dr Syed Imran Ali Shah, Dr Syed Junaid Ali Shah, Mrs Asma Ali Shah and Tournament Director Nusrat Faheem were also present on the occasion.

The winners were handed over a purse of Rs600,000 and a motorcycle while the runners-up went away with Rs300,000 and a motorcycle.

Waseem Qureshi of Karbala Heroes was declared the Man of the Final and was handed over a cash of Rs20,000.

Wicketkeeper batsman Shahbaz Javed of AO Clinic received a motorcycle after being declared the Man of the Tournament.

Advance Telecom cruise into KG Ramazan quarters

By our correspondent

KARACHI: Advance Telecom entered the quarter-finals of the Omar Associates Karachi Gymkhana Ramazan Festival Twenty20 after they trounced Karachi Port Trust (KPT) by 72 runs here at the Karachi Gymkhana Cricket Ground on Saturday.

Put into bat, Advance Telecom scored 168 for nine in the allotted 20 overs which they defended successfully by restricting their opponents to a meager 96 for six.

Opener Sahibzada Farhan, adjudged Man of the Match, struck three sixes and as many fours in his 66 off 40 balls to lay a strong foundation as Advance Telecom succeeded in posting a competitive total despite fine bowling by the KPT’s spin duo of Mohammad Usman (4-45) and Adnan Kaleem (2-25).

Chasing a target of 169, KPT never threatened to challenge the bowlers after the early setbacks caused by medium-pacer Ammad Butt (3-5). Ahmed Iqbal remained undefeated on 29 off 33 balls but he could not save his team from an embarrassing defeat.

Advance Telecom will take on Eaton Cricket Club in the first quarter-final on Sunday (today).

Kohli simply theb est, says De Villiers

LONDON: India captain Virat Kohli leads his team into Sunday’s (today’s) Champions Trophy final against bitter rivals Pakistan with South African star AB de Villiers labelling him “the outstanding cricketer in the world”.

De Villiers characterised Kohli, who struck an unbeaten 76 in last Sunday’s eight-wicket win over South Africa, as “being a consummate surgeon at the crease”.

“He has been blessed with wonderful natural talent but, as ever among high achievers, his talent is underpinned by a willingness to work hard,” wrote De Villiers in his column for the BBC on Saturday.

De Villiers added that Kohli is also able to cope with the extreme pressure that comes with being captain of the Indian cricket team.