September 30, 2008	Tuesday	Ramazan 29, 2008

KARACHI, Sept 29: Inspired by superb performances from Sarfraz Ahmed and Shahzeb Ahmed, Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) ran out comfortable winners of the 23rd Karachi Gymkhana State Life Ramazan Cricket Festival with a 59-run win over Tapal CC here on Monday.

Sarfraz, the young Pakistan wicket-keeper/batsman, smashed 67 off just 37 balls to help the KESC reach 193 for four after skipper Javed Mansoor elected to bat in the final of the city’s most popular Ramazan cricket tournament.

Man-of-the-Match Sarfraz’s brilliant knock contained nine boundaries. Daniyal Ahsan also played a fine hand by contributing an unbeaten 48 off 32 deliveries with a brace of sixes and a solitary four.

Off-spinner Mansoor Baig picked up two for 29.

Tapal CC, in reply, were bowled out for 134 in 18.4 overs with only wicket-keeper/batsman Ahmed Zeeshan Malik playing a significant knock. He lashed five fours and two sixes in his 44 off only 19 balls. Farhan Iqbal, batting at No 9, scored an unbeaten 24 off 30 balls in what was otherwise a disappointing batting display by Tapal CC.

Leg-spinner Shahzeb Ahmed was the wrecker-in-chief with excellent figures of four for 22 in four overs. Slow left-armer Nauman Alvi had earlier caused the damage at the top to finish with three for 33. Off-spinner Misbah Khan captured two for 23.

Javed Mansoor collected the winners’ cash prize of Rs200,000 on behalf of his team while a dejected Tapal CC captain Ahmed Zeeshan Malik claimed Rs100,000.

Sarfraz was also declared the joint winner of the man-of-the-tournament award along with his team-mate Arif Mahmood as the event’s best wicket-keeper. Asad Ali Younis (best fielder), Khalid Latif (best batsman) and Aamir Naqvi (best bowler) were recipients of the other individual awards.

Summarised scores:

KESC 193-4 in 20 overs (Sarfraz Ahmed 67, Daniyal Ahsan 48 not out, Ramiz Raja 23, Javed Mansoor 21; Mansoor Baig 2-29); TAPAL CC 134 in 18.4 overs (Ahmed Zeeshan Malik 44, Farhan Iqbal 24 not out; Shahzeb Ahmed 4-22, Nauman Alvi 3-33, Misbah Khan 2-23).