KARACHI: Rawalpindi Rams and Faisalabad Wolves had the better of the opening day’s action in the PCB U-19 Inter-Region Three-day Cricket Tournament semi-finals on Friday.

The Rams collected 114-2 after bowling out Karachi Dolphins for a modest first-innings total of 167 at the Mirpur Cricket Stadium, Mirpur.

After opting to bowl first, the Rams never allowed their opponents to build a solid platform as Jamil Abbas (3-66) and two wickets apiece for Shadab Khan, Awais Iqbal and Mohammad Ismail dismissed the Dolphins in 52.5 overs.

Qadir Khan made a fighting 54 from 110 balls with the aid of six boundaries, while Noor Wali scored a 32-ball 27 with five fours.

Aamir Sohail then hit six fours in scoring 40 from 68 balls and Zeeshan Malik sent the ball five times to the fence in making 38 off 82 balls to complete the Rams’ dominance.

Paceman Shahabul Khan was again at the forefront with figures of 6-57 as the Wolves restricted Lahore Eagles to 205 all out in 72 overs of their first innings after the Eagles opted to bat first at the Jinnah Stadium in Gujranwala.

Kamran Afzal played a fine knock as he ended up undefeated on 82. His 154-ball effort contained 14 boundaries. All-rounder Shahbaz Javed contributed 40 from 63 deliveries with the help of seven fours while Ali Raza batted stubbornly for a 110-ball 37 (five boundaries).

Apart from Shahabul, Shahid Ali captured two wickets for 17 runs.

The Wolves, in reply, reached 77-2 in 18 overs with Aitzaz Khokhar (18) and Atiq-ur-Rehman (12) at the crease when stumps were drawn for the day.

Close of play scores on Friday (day one of three): Semi-finals:

At Mirpur Cricket Stadium, Mirpur: Karachi Dolphins 167 in 52.5 overs (Qadir Khan 54, Noor Wali 27; Jamil Abbas 3-66, Shadab Khan 2-14, Awais Iqbal 2-23, Mohammad Ismail 2-45); RAWALPINDI RAMS 114-2 in 37 overs (Aamir Sohail 40, Zeeshan Malik 38).

At JINNAH STADIUM, GUJRANWALA: LAHORE EAGLES 205 in 72 overs (Kamran Afzal 82 not out, Shahbaz Javed 40, Ali Raza 37; Shahabul Khan 6-57, Shahid Ali 2-17); FAISALABAD WOLVES 77-2 in 18 overs (Samar Gulzar 20, Aitzaz Khokhar 18 not out, Atiq-ur-Rehman 12 not out).

Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2014