April 7, 2006	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 8, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, April 6: Umair Khan struck an unbeaten 82 as Punjab Club defeated Diamond by five wickets to claim the Islamabad-Rawalpindi Inter-City Super Cricket Championship title on Thursday.

After restricting Diamond to 222 Punjab rode on Umair's sizzling knock and were home with almost an over to spare, losing five wickets on the way.

Umair, who was later adjudged Man of the Match, stroked six fours and faced 131 balls defying the rival attack in which only Ashar Zaidi could snap up two wickets.

A good contribution to the Punjab chase was also made by Raja Kashif who scored 36 runs while Tauseef Abbasi chipped in with 23.

For Diamond, playing on their home ground, Farrukh Hayat topscored with 69 followed by Ashar Zaidi who collected 40 runs. Off spinner Jawad Hameed however put the brakes on the batsmen by taking four wickets for 23 runs.

Top eight teams of Rawalpindi and Islamabad took part in the tournament in which Zahid Mansoor of Victory Club emerged as the Best Batsman while Punjab's Sohail Khan was declared the Best Bowler. The wicketkeeping honours went to Nauman Sadiq of the Diamond Club.

Mustafain Kazmi of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) said on the occasion that Rs 55 million had been set aside by the Authority for developing cricket grounds in Islamabad.

Meanwhile Shakil Shaikh, President of the Islamabad Cricket Association (ICA) said that next week's Margalla Festival Tournament will feature 36 teams.

Summarised scores:

Punjab bt Diamond by five wickets. Diamond 222 in 49.2 overs (Farrukh Hayat 69, Ashar Zaidi 40, Rauf Akbar 33; Jawad Hameed 4-23, Sohail Khan 2-24, Umair Akbar 2-37);

Punjab 225-5 in 49.1 overs (Umair Khan 82 not out), Raja Kashif 36, Tauseef Abbasi 23; Ashar Zaidi 2-16)

Best Batsman: Zahid Mansoor (Victory), Best Bowler Sohail Khan (Punjab), Best Wicketkeeper Nauman Sadiq (Diamond).