ISLAMABAD, April 17: Half centuries by Sajjad Ahmed and Yasir Khan spurred Ghouri Club to a two-wicket victory over King's Gymkhana in the opening game of the ICA Margalla Festival Cricket Championship at the Diamond Ground on Monday.

Sajjad stroked an unbeaten 65 while Yasir scored 52 as Ghouri Club overhauled King’s Gymkhana's score of 280 in the 47th over.

King’s Gymkhana's total revolved round Abeer Talat's sparkling knock of 98 and an equally good innings of 71 from Murtaza Ali Ghaus.

Syed Asfandyar Shah stemmed the flow of runs by picking up three wickets for 40 runs while Mohammad Aftar chipped in with two for 30.

There are 36 teams taking part in the competition.

Summarised scores:

Ghouri bt King's Gymkhana by two wickets.

KING'S GYMKHANA 280 in 50 overs (Abeer Talat 98, Murtaza Ali Ghaus 71, Tauseef 32; Syed Asfandyar Shah 3-40, Mohammad Aftar 2-30, Adnan Kazmi 2-36);

GHOURI CLUB 283-8 in 46.4 overs (Sajjad Ahmed 65 not out, Yasir Khan 52, Irfan Aziz 42, Aamir Raza 25; Murtaza Ali Ghous 2-54, Raja Nasir 2-39).