KARACHI: Quetta experienced mixed fortune in the latest round of the Southern Zone matches in the 19th National Seniors Cup Cricket Tournament 2017-18, being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA).

Opener Muhammad Alam’s unbeaten 104 powered Quetta to a convincing nine-wicket victory over Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) here at the Naya Nazimabad Ground but they were routed by Omar Associates by seven wickets at the same venue the following day.

Batting first, after winning the toss, CAA scored 204 for eight in the allotted 25 overs with Kamran Tariq smashing four sixes and five fours in his 58 off 37 balls. The innings was kept in check by the spin quartet of Raju Gulfam (2-21), Ali Ahmed (2-21), Dawood Khan (2-36) and Alam Khan (2-38).

In reply, Quetta got off to rollicking start, thanks to a brilliant 104-run opening stand between Ghulam Sarwar (58 off 48 balls) and Man of the Match Muhammad Alam, who remained undefeated at 104 off just 65 balls with the help of five sixes and six fours. Quetta reached the target in 22.1 overs.

Shahjahan Khan was the other not out batsman with a stroke-filled 39 off 21 balls to his credit containing two sixes and three fours.

In another match, Quetta, batting first, scored 192 for three off 25 overs against Omar Associates with Shahjahan Khan topscoring with an unbeaten 70 off 45 balls studded with three sixes and five fours. Opener Ghulam Sarwar was among the runs again, making 64 off 58 balls with seven boundaries.

The Omar Associates batsmen, however, trumped their opponents with skipper Jaffer Qureshi, coming in as an opener, setting the tone with 68 off 42 balls, hitting three sixes and nine fours. Then number three Imran Javed, adjudged Man of the Match, sustained the momentum with an unbeaten 75 off 45 balls with three sixes and nine fours to enable his team romp home with nearly three overs to spare.

A total of 103 outfits from 50 cities, having been divided in 31 groups, are participating in the tournament.

Published in Dawn, March 10th, 2018