KPT win final to reclaim first-class status

KARACHI: Karachi Port Trust (KPT) reclaimed their first-class cricket status when they emerged as champions on the basis of their first innings lead after their final of Patron’s Trophy Grade-II against Omar Associates ended in a draw here at National Stadium on Wednesday.
KPT last played first-class cricket in February-March 2005 in the ABN-Amro Patron’s Trophy. They got relegated as they finished last in their six-team group, having lost three matches and drawn two.
They will play in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Silver later this year in place of Pakistan Television (PTV) who got relegated last season.
Chasing a tough target of 358, KPT reached 278-3 in 100 overs in their second innings by the end of the play.
Faisal Khan scored a superb unbeaten 121. The Sialkot-born Faisal, who smacked 18 fours from 208 deliveries, played some excellent shots during his valuable knock.
Faisal added 173 runs for the third wicket with Shah Ali Zafar who struck 69 off 157 deliveries, hitting 11 fours.
Raza Ali Dar remained not out on 14.
Openers Anas Mahmood (29) and Nadeem Javed (24) provided a 64-run stand to KPT who resumed from 21.
As the openers fell in quick succession, Faisal and Shah Ali Zafar showed great application to frustrate the rivals.
Off-spinner Bilal Asif got 2-115 from 36 overs, for a match-tally of 5-206. Left-arm spinner Jalat Khan picked 1-68 from 37 overs.
Test left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir did not bowl in the entire innings because of his hamstring injury.
Omar Associates posted 349 all out in 81.1 overs and 414-8 declared. KPT piled up 406-8 in 83 overs in their first innings.
KPT Sports Manager Shah Naeem Zafar was happy with his team’s achievement. “The boys worked hard that paid dividends,” the jubilant Shah told ‘The News’.
“Playing first-class competitions later this year will be a real challenge for us. We will try to induct a few players for the big stage but it depends on our administration. I will give my proposal regarding fresh induction,” added Shah.
Only 16 out of 25 cricketers representing KPT are regular employees.
Omar Associates’ coach Nasir Shah said it was hard to bowl on the pitch. “There was nothing in the track for the bowlers. We took two wickets in the first session but after that a long partnership denied us a chance of a fight-back,” said Nasir, a former first-class cricketer.
“It really saddened me as we missed the chance to qualify for top cricket after reaching so close to it,” Nasir said.
Pakistan’s chief selector Haroon Rasheed and former Test cricketer Salahuddin Sallu gave away trophies to the leading sides. Also present were Karachi City Cricket Association’s (KCCA) President Prof Ijaz Farooqui and PCB Manager Umpires, Referees and Domestic Cricket Operations Saqib Irfan.
KPT were handed over a glittering trophy and Rs200,000, while Omar Associates received the runners-up trophy and Rs100,000.
Besides, Rs25,000 and a trophy each were handed over to Nadeem Javed (KPT, best batsman, 699 runs), Shahzaib Ahmed (K-Electric, best bowler, 33 wickets), Mohammad Imran (Face Fresh, best all-rounder, 341 runs, 16 wickets) and Nadeem Javed (KPT, man-of-the-final).
Score Board
KPT won toss
Omar Associates 1st innings 349-all out
KPT 1st innings 1st innings 406-all out
Omar Associates 2nd innings 414-all out
KPT 2nd innings
Nadeem Javed c Saeed Mutabbir b Jalat Khan 24
Anas Mahmood c Fahad-ul-Haq b Bilal Asif 29
Shah Ali Zafar lbw b Bilal Asif 69
Faisal Khan not out 121
Raza Ali Dar not out 14
Extras 21
Total (3 wickets, 100 overs) 278
Did not bat: Ahmed Iqbal, Babar Rehman, *†Mohammad Hasan, Nabeel Malik, Adeel Malik, Bilawal
Bowling: Waqas Ahmed 14-4-53-0; Asif Raza 8-4-10-0; Jalat Khan 37-17-68-1; Bilal Asif 36-10-115-2; Fahad-ul-Haq 1-0-4-0; Saeed Mutabbir 4-1-17-0
Result: KPT won on first innings lead basis
Umpires: Ahsan Raza, Ahmed Shah
Match Referee: Ameeruddin