
KARACHI: Thanks to a run-a-ball century by Kaleem Ahmed, defending champions Sialkot took a 167 runs first innings lead over Multan, on the second day of their second-round, Pool A 2008-09 National Inter-Region Under-19 Three-day Cricket Championship match, at the Jinnah Stadium in Sialkot on Saturday.
The 16-year-old Muridke-born Sialkot wicket-keeper and vice-captain came in at number seven, with his team at 96 for five, and hit 114 in as many balls in just short of two and a half hours with 14 fours. Sialkot replied with a total of 260 against Multan’s pathetic first innings score of 93 all out.
Kaleem walked in when Sialkot had already passed the Multan tally. But he dominated the scoring from there onwards and made 114 of the 164 runs added.
Multan’s right-arm medium-fast Aamer Yameen (4-72) and slow left-armer Umair Arshad (3-49) had bowled well before Kaleem spoiled their figures somewhat.
At the Arbab Niaz Stadium in Peshawar, only a further 13.1 overs could be bowled on the second day of another Pool A match due to bad weather. Peshawar meanwhile were bowled all out for 225 after having resumed at their overnight 175 for eight.
By the draw of stumps, the Karachi Whites openers had faced two overs and posted six runs without being separated.
Peshawar’s No.10 batsman Afaq Ahmed, one of their new-ball bowlers, took 36 balls to add 31 runs to the score in 44 minutes with the help of three hits that went over the rope.
The third Pool A match between Islamabad and Lahore Ravi, scheduled to be played at the Diamond Club Ground in Islamabad, could not start even on the second day yesterday because of rainy weather in the capital. The two teams still might play for first innings points on the final day today (Sunday) if conditions improve.
Scores: Multan 93 in 39.2 overs (Mohammad Sabir 32*; Mohammad Abbas 5-29, Bilawal Bhatti 3-32). Sialkot 260 in 79.2 overs (Yasir Ali 36, Kaleem Ahmed 114; Aamer Yameen 4-72, Umair Arshad 3-49).
Peshawar 225 in 67.3 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 44, Abdul Rahim 33, Asif Khan 58, Afaq Ahmed 31; Junaid Ilyas 3-30). Karachi Whites 6-0 in 2 overs. Islamabad v Lahore Ravi. First two days’ play totally washed out.