KARACHI, Jan 9: A magnificent double century opening partnership between Asif Zakir and Khurram Manzoor propelled Karachi Urban to a crushing nine-wicket victory over Karachi Harbour in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Gold League match at the National Stadium here on Tuesday.

Chasing a target of 248 in 50 overs, Karachi Urban romped home with 6.5 overs to spare after Asif and Khurram put on 203 inside 39 overs to turn the tables on Karachi Harbour, who took the first innings.

Khurram, a promising 20-year-old right-handed opening batsman, struck a superb undefeated 120 while Asif, for the second time in the match, fell within sight of a century.

The 23-year-old Asif followed his 93 in the first innings with 83 before he chased a wide on and was smartly held at slip by Ariz Kamal. The right-hander stroked 10 boundaries during his 133-ball knock.

But Khurram showed no signs of being nervous and duly brought up his third first-class century in his first match of the season after spending the entire Patron’s Trophy competition among PIA reserves. Exhibiting a wide array of strokes, the tall youngster struck 16 fours in his 116-ball innings.

Saeed bin Nasir struck the winning boundary to finish on 16 not out.

The result was unexpected when the final day dawned with Karachi Harbour 160 in front and having the services of first-innings heroes Fawwad Alam and Fahad Iqbal at the crease.

But Karachi Urban hit back soon after play began on the fourth and final day. Paceman Tanvir Ahmed triggered the Harbour downslide when he sent back both Fawwad and Fahad in quick successions.

Wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed, who made 60 in the first innings, again came to the fore for Karachi Harbour. This time he was left stranded on a plucky 77 not out. His brave 125-ball effort was spiced with 11 fours.

Tanvir took four for 53 while off-spinner Tahir Khan had three for 58.

Karachi Urban, who collected six points, next play Peshawar here while Karachi Harbour face Rawalpindi in the matches starting from Friday.

Scoreboard

KARACHI HARBOUR (1st Innings) 367 (Fawwad Alam 110, Fahad Iqbal 107, Sarfraz Ahmed 60; Rajesh Ramesh 4-101).

KARACHI URBAN (1st Innings) 347 (Asif Zakir 93, Saeed bin Nasir 78, Hasan Raza 76).

KARACHI HARBOUR (2nd Innings, overnight 120-4):

Shadab Kabir c Tahir b Tanvir 6

Khalid Latif c Tanvir b Tahir 47

Naumanullah lbw b Tanvir 0

Ariz Kamal b Ramesh 22

Fawwad Alam lbw b Tanvir 29

Fahad Iqbal c Amin b Tanvir 9

Sarfraz Ahmed not out 77

Mansoor Ahmed lbw b Tahir 0

Anwar Ali Khan c and b Tahir 12

Faraz Ahmed run out 3

Uzair-ul-Haq c Tahir b Nauman 8

EXTRAS (B-3, LB-1, NB-10) 14

TOTAL (all out, 84 overs) 227

FALL OF WKTS: 1-6, 2-10, 3-53, 4-92, 5-121, 6-124, 7-128, 8-148, 9-188.

BOWLING: Tanvir Ahmed 22-4-53-4 (6nb); Rajesh Ramesh 15-9-29-1; Imran Javed 7-1-30-0 (2nb); Nauman Alvi 13-2-34-1; Tahir Khan 21-6-58-3 (1nb); Afsar Nawaz 5-0-19-0; Hasan Raza 1-1-0-0.

KARACHI URBAN (2nd Innings):

Asif Zakir c Ariz b Uzair 83

Khurram Manzoor not out 120

Saeed bin Nasir not out 16

EXTRAS (B-7, LB-11, W-9, NB-2) 29

TOTAL (for one wkt, 43.1 overs) 248

FALL OF WKT: 1-203.

BOWLING: Anwar Ali Khan 12-0-55-0 (2w); Faraz Ahmed 3-0-22-0 (1nb); Uzair-ul-Haq 10-1-40-1 (3w); Fawwad Alam 7-0-45-0; Mansoor Ahmed 8-0-45-0 (1nb, 1w); Naumanullah 2-0-7-0 (2w); Ariz Kamal 1-0-11-0; Fahad Iqbal 0.1-0-5-0 (1w).

RESULT: Karachi Urban won by nine wickets.

UMPIRES: Iftikhar Malik and M. Akbar Khan.

MATCH REFEREE: Naeem Ahmed.

OFFICIAL SCORER: Muhammad Ahsan.