24 January 2004	Saturday	01 Zilhaj 1424

BANGLORE, Jan 23: A hurricane century by opener Ali Murtaza (109) and Uday Kaul (59), followed by a four-wicket haul by Piyush Chawala, enabled India to register a 71-run victory against Pakistan in Under-17 Asia Cup.

Put to bat first, India scored 291 for four in 45 overs. Kaul and Murtaza punished Pakistan bowlers and their first-wicket partnership yielded 118 runs. Murtaza's century included 11 hits to the fence.

Left-arm spinner Raja Alidar (3/57) was the only successful bowler for Pakistan. Pakistan were bundled out for 220 in 42.3 overs, thanks mainly to leg-spinner Piyush Chawala, who claimed four wickets conceding 40 runs. Ali Mutaz and Prem Pratek claimed two wickets each conceding 27 and 35 runs respectively.

India earned five points and Pakistan one point (for not conceding bonus point). In another match, Nepal registered its first victory in the league, by defeating Bahrain by 89 runs in the match that was reduced to 35 overs a side due to unfit condition of the pitch.

Nepal, put to bat first, scored 216 losing 7 wickets with openers Raj Shrestha (46) and Paras Khadka (51) contributing 100 runs for first wicket. Rohan Ram Mohan and Gayan D'Silva claimed two wickets each conceding 24 and 29 runs respectively.

In reply, Bahrain could score only 127 in 34.4 overs with Raj Shreshta (3/9) and Irfan Siddiqie (3/14) striking at quick intervals. Nepal earned six points, including one bonus point, from the win.

Summarized scores:

India beat Pakistan by 71 runs

India 291 for four in 45 overs (Uday Kaul 59, Ali Murtaza 109, Ravi Raj Patil 28, Ravikant Shukla not out 40, Raza Ali Ali Dar 3/57).

Pakistan 220 all out in 42.3 overs (Yasir Arafat 56, Nasir Jamshed 76; Piyusha Chawala 4/40, Ali Murtaz 2/27, Prem Pratek 2/35).

Nepal beat Bahrain by 89 runs

Nepal 216 for seven wickets in 35 overs (Raj Shrestha 46, Paras Khadka 51; Rohan Ram Mohan 2/24, Gayan D' Silva 2/29). Bahrain 127 all out in 34.4 overs (Gayan D'Silva 31, Irfan Siddiqie 3/14).-PPI