October 23, 2006	Monday	Ramazan 29, 1427

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KARACHI, Oct 22: Upcoming batsman Khurram Manzoor scored a magnificent century that inspired PIA Academy to lift the 21st Karachi Gymkhana-AKD Investment Ramazan cricket title at the KG Ground on Sunday.

Khurram blasted an unbeaten 111 as PIA Academy defeated AKD XI by 20 runs in the final.

Khurram’s 64-ball innings that contained 16 boundaries guided PIA Academy to 199 for four in 20 overs.

Sarfraz Ahmed also played a vital hand by striking a 19-ball cameo of 39 not out. The wicket-keeper/batsman, who led Pakistan to Undr-19 World Cup title in Sri Lanka earlier this year, hammered three fours and a brace of sixes.

Three of the Academy batsmen were run out.

AKD XI reached 179 for nine in reply. Imran Javed (49 off 31 balls, four fours and two sixes) and Sharjeel Ashraf (40 off 30 balls, five fours and one six) were the main scorers.

Ex-Test opener Imran Nazir spanked three sixes and two fours in making 26 off 11 balls and Shahid Yousuf struck 27 off 11 deliveries with three fours and two sixes, but their efforts went in vain.

Leg-spinner Imran Tahir took three for 20 while medium-pacer Kamran Sajid claimed two for 40.

Ex-Test batsman Asif Mujtaba, the Academy skipper, received the winners trophy and a cash award of Rs250,000 while AKD XI captain Mansoor Khan picked Rs125,000 and the runners-up trophy.

But it was Khurram’s show. Besides pocketing Rs5,000 as Man-of-the-Final, he bagged Rs10,000 for being adjudged Man-of-the-Tournament and the best fielder award of Rs7,500.

Other individual awards went to Wasim Naeem (best batsman), Fariduddin (best bowler) and Sarfraz Ahmed (best wicket-keeper).

Summarised scores:

PIA ACADEMY 199-4 in 20 overs (Khurram Manzoor 111 not out, Sarfraz Ahmed 39 not out); AKD XI 179-9 in 20 overs (Imran Javed 49, Sharjeel Ashraf 40, Shahid Yousuf 27, Imran Nazir 26; Imran Tahir 3-20, Kamran Sajid 2-40).