KARACHI, June 25: An unbeaten 79 by 15-year-old Shan Masood guided Zone-III to a close three-wicket victory over Zone-IV on the first day of the two-day Karachi region fixture of the PCB under-19 Inter-district cricket championship at the Pak Star ground on Saturday.

Zone-III, needing 149, were home — after the day’s play was extended since the result was in sight -– thanks to an unbroken eighth-wicket partnership of 47 in an hour between Shan, who struck 10 boundaries, and Waqar Ahmed (12).

Slow left-armer Aamir Shah, however, stood out for Zone-IV with five for 30 in 13 overs.

Earlier after electing to bat first, Zone-IV were bowled out for 148 in the 53rd over with spin duo of Mohsin Sultan and Shereen Khan inflicting the main damage.

Slow left-armer Mohsin captured five for 29 in 13.2 overs, while leg-spinner Shereen provided good support with three for 46 in 16 overs.

Spinners were also in top form in the match between Zone-VI and Zone-V at the TMC ground. Slow left-armer Shoaib Lodhi claimed four for 32 and off-spinner Asif Hameed three for 22. Zone-V were sent packing for only 110 in the 36th over.

Sarfraz Ahmed then hit an undefeated 63, which included seven fours, as Zone-VI completed an easy seven-wicket win.

Meanwhile, there is a close finish on the cards at the Student sports ground where Zone-I finished the day at 77 for three while chasing 186. All three wickets fell to off-spinner Shahmir Khattak.

Earlier, Faraz Feroz slammed 10 boundaries in scoring 65 as Zone-II reached 186 all out in the 58th over. Off-spinners Tabish Nawab (five for 48 in 10.3 overs) and Hafiz Asad (three for 24) shared the bowling honours.

Summarised scores:

At TMC Ground: Zone-VI beat Zone-V by seven wickets.

ZONE-V 110 in 35.3 overs (Adnanur Rahman 38; Shoaib Lodhi 4-32, Asif Hameed 3-22, Anwar Ali 2-8); ZONE-VI 112-3 in 34.2 overs (Sarfraz Ahmed 63 not out, Owais Ahmed Rahmani 29; Tufail Ahmed 2-27).

At Pak Star Ground: Zone-III beat Zone-IV by three wickets.

ZONE-IV 148 in 52.2 overs (Yasir Munir 34, Mohammad Hasan 22 not out; Mohsin Sultan 5-29, Shireen Khan 3-46); ZONE-III 149-7 in 44.4 overs (Shan Masood 79 not out; Zeeshan Jamil 24; Aamir Shah 5-30).

At Student Sports Ground: ZONE-II 185 in 57.3 overs (Faraz Feroz 65, Hammad Khan 35, Farhan Rafiq 35; Tabish Nawab 5-48, Hafiz Asad 3-24) v ZONE-I.