KARACHI: Hosts Southern Region will meet Central Region in the final of the Beaconhouse Inter-region cricket tournament for ‘O’ Level Boys after both defeated Northern Region on the opening day of the two-day event at the DHA Moin Khan Academy here on Tuesday.

In the first match, Southern Region beat Northern Region by five wickets.

Batting first, Northern Region made a paltry 123 in 19.2 overs with Ali Almas (32), Abdul Wasigh (26) and Salar Rizwan (22) being the major run-getters.

Muaz bin Salman claimed three wickets for 14 runs with Izaan Waqar and skipper Hassan Khan taking two wickets apiece.

Hassan then hit three sixes and four boundaries in making 46 off 34 balls as Southern Region reached their target in the penultimate over.

In the second game, Central Region pulled off a narrow nine-run win. Furqan Afzal excelled with a 34-ball 53 that included three sixes and as many fours as Central Region made 121.

Salar Rizwan grabbed six wickets for 17 runs, including a hat-trick, while M. Ali took 3-12.

But Northern Region faltered in their run chase and were all out for 112 despite Salar contributing 39 (38 balls, five fours and one six).

Hasan Sardar bagged three wickets for 24.

Earlier, Pakistan hockey legend and former Olympian Samiullah inaugurated the completion at a colour ceremony.

Also present were Yasmeen Aqeel, regional director of Southern Region and Ian Darlington, director sports and physical education of Beaconhouse.

Summarised scores:

Southern Region bt Northern Region by five wickets.

NORTHERN REGION 123 in 19.2 overs (Ali Almas 32, Abdul Wasigh 26, Salar Rizwan 22; Muaz bin Salman 3-14, Izaan Waqar 2-15, Hassan Khan 2-18); SOUTHERN REGION 124-5 in 18.5 overs (Hassan Khan 46, Hamza Imran 21; Abdul Wasigh 2-14).

Central Region bt Northern Region by nine runs.

CENTRAL REGION 121 in 20 overs (Furqan Afzal 53, Jehanzeb Navaid 22; Salar Rizwan 6-17, M. Ali 3-12); NORTHERN REGION 112 in 19.2 overs (Salar Rizwan 39, Hameed 23, Abdul Wasigh 21; Hasan Sardar 3-24, Syed Ammar 2-23).

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2014