August 17, 2003	Sunday	Jumadi-us-Sani 18, 1424

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KARACHI, Aug 16: Hill Park Rangers defeated KGA Gymkhana by three wickets to lift Azadi Cup cricket tournament here the other day.

Mohammad Khurshid played a match-winning knock of 50 not out despite a fight back by KGA in the final on their home turf.

Needing 196 for victory in 35 overs, Hill Park Rangers were in trouble twice, but they recovered from 53 for three to reach 101 before losing four wickets for the addition of 38 runs.

However, Khurshid, the Man-of-the-Match, kept his cool to guide his side to victory while dominating the unfinished eighth-wicket partnership of 57 with Amjad Ali, whose contribution was just three runs. Khurshid’s innings was spiced with five fours and a brace of sixes as Hill Park Rangers reached 196 for seven in 30.2 overs.

Earlier, KGA finished at 195 for nine with opener Jonathan Rodrigues making 44 with the aid of three boundaries and shared in an opening stand of 50 with Freddy DeCruze (26 with fours and one six). Other notable scorers were Jonathan’s brothers Mario (31 not out with two fours) and Hilary (24).

Summarised scores:

KGA GYMKHANA 195-9 in 35 overs (Jonathan Rodrigues 44, Mario Rodrigues 31 not out, Freddy DeCruze 26, Hilary Rodrigues 24; Farooq Mulai 2-35);

HILL PARK RANGERS 196-7 in 30.2 overs (Mohammad Khurshid 59 not out, Mohammad Zahid 29, Shakeel Anwar 29, Humair Shafaat 22; Victor Sebastian 2-29, Imran Bashir 2-40).