LAHORE, Sept 19: A defiant century by opener Adnan Zaheer failed to save Sialkot from seven-wicket defeat as Lahore won the final of the Inter-region Under-19 cricket tournament, inside three-days, at Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.

Adnan with his splendid knock of 116, brought Sialkot, who had conceded a big 119-run lead in the first innings, back into the match.

His century with Tariq Mahmood’s knock of 62 helped Sialkot finish the second innings at 308 in 88.3 overs before adding 73 runs for the remaining two wickets after resuming at 230 for eight wickets.

Set a target of 190 to win, Lahore was served well by Salman Akbar Butt, who scored an unbeaten 114-ball 78 with 13 fours and opener Abid Ali who made 139-ball 63 with nine boundaries, before crossing the target for the loss of three wickets in 56.2 overs.

Adnan who resumed at 85 in the morning with Tariq (40) extended their overnight partnership of 62 to 76 before Adnan was caught by Zulqarnain Haider off medium-pacer Muhammad Shahzad who finished 3-49. Adnan hit 13 fours and three sixes in his 190- ball 116 knock.

Tariq remained unbeaten for 62, laced with 10 fours. He faced 137 ball.

Medium-pacer Wahab Riaz of Lahore, who finished with match- figures of nine for 127 (6-26 and 3-101) was declared Man-of-the-Match while Khurram Manzoor (Karachi region) best batsman of the tournament (423 runs) and Tariq Mahmood (Sialkot), best bowler (28 wickets).

Zulqarnian Haider (Lahore) was the best wicketkeeper with 21 catches while Ehsan Butt (Sialkot) was the best fielder. He took 13 catches.

Lahore Region received a cash prize of Rs200,000 while Sialkot as runners-up earned Rs100,000.

The Man-of-the-Match and the best cricketers of the tournament were all awarded ash prizes of Rs 15,000 each.

Summarised scores:

Lahore vs Sialkot (final) at Gaddafi Stadium. Lahore beat Sialkot by seven wickets.

Sialkot (1st innings): 73 in 39.3 overs. And 308 for all (overnight 230-8) (Adnan Zaheer 116, Tariq Mahmood 62 not out; Wahab Riaz 3-101, Muhammad Shahzad 3-49, Sohail Ahmed 2-21).

Lahore (1st innings): 192 all out and 190 for three in 56.2 overs (Salman Akbar Butt 78, Abid Ali 63, Zulqarnain Haider 31 not out).