KARACHI: In a match of only academic interest, as defending champions Sialkot have already qualified for the tournament final from Pool A, Karachi Whites rattled up a solid score of 321 for nine in 83 overs in their first innings, on the opening day of the sixth-round 2008-09 National Inter-Region Under-19 Three-day Cricket Championship match against Multan, at the Gymkhana Ground in Okara on Saturday.

Karachi Whites, who are playing their last match in the seven-team group, have gained only nine points from their previous five appearances. They are placed at number four behind Sialkot, Peshawar and Lahore Ravi.

Multan are at number five in the ranking, with just six points from the four earlier matches played.

Yesterday, Multan captain Mohammad Imran won the toss and put the Karachi team in to bat. Following his knock of 92 in the one-day competition match against the same opponents on Thursday, skipper Jahangir Shah helped his team recover from opener Fakhar Zaman’s loss for a duck.

Jahangir was joined by Irfan Lodhi (31) in a 70-run second-wicket partnership. Jahangir scored 57 off 125 balls in a little over two and a half hours with eight fours.

Later, Rameez Aziz contributed a quick 32 off 28 balls with five fours and a six and Mohammad Zohaib continued the good work with a splendid 55, that came off 107 deliveries with five fours.

But the innings of the day was by Zakir Afridi at number eight. He lifted Karachi from a total of 208-6 to 304 runs with a dashing 73, that took him a mere 58 balls to make in just over an hour with 11 fours and a six.

Scores: Karachi Whites 321-9 in 83 overs (Jahangir Shah 57, Irfan Lodhi 31, Rameez Aziz 32, Mohammad Zohaib 55, Zakir Afridi 73).