October 29, 2001	Monday	Shaba'an 11, 1422

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KARACHI, Oct 28: A fine allround performance by skipper Andre Bernard, backed up by some splendid leg-spin bowling by Imran Bashir, helped KGA Gymkhana win the First Ramji Sonavaria KCCA Minorities cricket tournament, beating Don Bosco CC by 50 runs at the KPI ground Sunday.

Winning the toss and opting to bat first, KGA Gymkhana after a shaky start recovered to reach 217 for six in 35 overs. Bernard coming in at the fall of the fourth wicket, cracked 72, studded with four huge sixes and six scorching boundaries. He and left-hander Victor Sebastian (33) put on 85 valuable runs for the fifth wicket. Hilary Rodrigues chipped in with 21.

Philip Dias bagged two for 30 for Don Bosco.

Chasing 218 for victory, Don Bosco after a fine start by Zubair Ahmed and Ramesh Bikraj, were cruising along comfortably at 120 for two after 20 overs. But with the introduction of Imran Bashir into the attack, Don Bosco CC lost their last eight wickets for only 47 runs.

Zubair Ahmed, later named the Player of the Tournament for amassing 397 runs and picking up 12 wickets, top scored for his side with 64, which included three sixes and four fours.

Christopher Coutinho also had a good stint with the willow, scoring 20.

Imran Bashir grabbed four for 27. He was ably assisted by Bernard with two for 31 and Victor Sebastian two for 19.

Bernard was named the Man of the Match, while the Anil Dalpat wicket-keeping award donated by his coach A.R. Mahmood, went to KGA’s Calvin Gonsalves.

Cyrus Cowasjee, President of the Karachi Parsi Institute, was the chief guest on the occasion and presented the trophies to the winners and runners-up.