KARACHI, Nov 25: Pakistan opener Imran Nazir set the UBL Sports Complex on fire Sunday with a blistering knock of 117 that enabled Paragon Constructors crush CDC by 75 runs in a Group ‘D’ match of the Paragon Cup 2001 Ramazan cricket tournament.
Imran clobbered no less than 10 sixes and six fours during his 62-ball innings which helped Paragon Constructors reach 242 for seven in their allotted quota of 25 overs.
CDC never looked like offering much fight despite a fine 69 off 49 balls by Afsar Nawaz, who stroked five fours and three sixes.
CDC managed 167 all out in 22,5 overs with off-spinner Haaris Ayaz causing the main damage with four for 27 while Qaiser Abbas and Shoaib Malik took two wickets each for 27 and 36 runs respectively.
Having elected to bat first, Paragon Constructors ran into early trouble as medium-pacer Sharif Asadullah sent back the Farhat brothers, Humayun (4) and Imran (6), as well as Sajid Ali (0) with only 32 runs on the board.
However, Shoaib Malik, the Pakistan off-spinner, provided ideal support to the belligerent Imran as the pair shared a fourth wicket partnership of 141 in just over 10 overs.
Shoaib contributed 45 off 46 balls with a solitary boundary. Later, the young left-hander Qaiser Abbas hammered an unbeaten 38 off only 19 balls with the aid of four fours and one six.
Sharif Asadullah, by far, the pick of the CDC bowlers, with figures of four for 37.
Summarized scores:
PARAGON CONSTRUCTORS 242-7 in 25 overs (Imran Nazir 117, Shoaib Malik 45, Qaiser Abbas 38 not out; Sharif Asadullah 4-37);
CDC 167 in 22.5 overs (Afsar Nawaz 69, Wasim Naeem 35; Haaris Ayaz 4-27, Qaiser Abbas 2-27, Shoaib Malik 2-36).
Monday’s fixture: Tapal CC v Pak Gymkhana (Group A).