October 11, 2007	Thursday	Ramazan 28, 1428

KARACHI, Oct 10: Fine teamwork inspired newcomers Medicam CC to lift the 22nd Karachi Gymkhana Ramazan Cricket Festival title when they defeated favourites KESC by 38 runs in the final at the KG Ground on Wednesday.

Wicket-keeper/batsman Mohammad Salman and slow left-armer Azam Hussain were the architects behind Medicam CC’s victory that earned them the winners’ cash prize of Rs200,000 besides the trophy from the chief guest Aftab Tapal.

After being asked to bat first, Medicam CC lost their skipper Khalid Latif for 22. But Salman batted brilliantly to smash 69 off 45 balls with the aid of four sixes and as many fours.

Medicam CC finished their innings at 166 for six in 20 overs. Spinners Tahir Khan and Nauman Alvi bagged two wickets apiece.

The KESC ran into trouble after a reasonable opening stand of 29, losing four wickets in quick successions. Barring opener Asad Shafiq, who hit 35 off 27 balls (four boundaries and one six), no one else crossed the 20-run mark.

The KESC were finally dismissed for 128 in the 19th over. Azam returned fine figures of three for 24. Fellow slow left-armer Rashid Hanif (2-14) and left-arm paceman Malik Aftab (2-23) provided excellent support.

Salman was declared the Man-of-the-Final. Asad Shafiq was adjudged Man-of-the-Tournament for which he was awarded Rs10,000, while his KESC team-mates Daniyal Ahsan (best batsman) and Sarfraz Ahmed (best wicket-keeper) received Rs5,000 each. Khurram Manzoor of Medicam CC was the tournament’s best fielder.

A disappointing KESC skipper Arif Mahmood claimed the runners-up prize-money of Rs100,000 along with the trophy.

President of Karachi Gymkhana Taqi Iqbal, sports convener Abbas Saifuddin Valika and cricket secretary Masroor Mirza were also present on the occasion.

Summarised scores:

MEDICAM CC 166-6 in 20 overs (Mohammad Salman 69, Khalid Latif 22, Rizwan Khan 21, Khurram Manzoor 13; Noman Alvi 2-25, Tahir Khan 2-44); KESC 128 in 18.5 overs (Asad Shafiq 35, Arif Mahmood 18, Tahir Khan 15; Azam Hussain 3-24, Rashid Hanif 2-14, Malik Aftab 2-23).