KARACHI, July 1: Shikarpur and Mardan emerged as regional champions in the PCB Inter-district Under-19 Cricket Tournament after wining their respective finals on Sunday.

Shikarpur defeated Dadu by 27 runs in the low-scoring Hyderabad region final at the Sindh University Ground in Jamshoro. Dadu, who resumed at 49-4 while chasing 124, crashed to 96 all out in 66.3 overs on the last day of the two-day final.

Slow bowlers Mohammad Sharif and Mohammad Mureed were Shikarpur’s match-winners as they claimed eight wickets between them. Slow left-armer Sharif grabbed four for 24 in 27.3 overs while off-spinner Mureed took four for 29 in 22 overs.

The architect of Mardan winning the Abbottabad region final at their home venue of Company Bagh Ground was Saifullah Khan, who blasted an unbeaten 109 off only 70 deliveries.

After Saturday’s play was entirely washed out, Fata, put into bat, made 200 in 47.2 overs. Slow left-armers Fawad Malook (6-72) and Aamir Shahzad (3-66) shared the bulk of wickets.

Mardan then raced home to victory in only 35.2 overs by scoring 203 for seven, thanks to the blistering batting of Saifullah, who bludgeoned 17 fours and two sixes.

Khalilullah Khan also played a crucial hand for his team. He contributed a 70-ball 46, which included six boundaries, while putting on 154 for the third wicket with Saifullah.

Summarised scores:

At Sindh University Ground, Jamshoro: Shikarpur beat Dadu by 27 runs.

SHIKARPUR 123 in 65 overs (Ghulam Ishaq 36; Sajid Ali 6-28, Tanvir Ahmed 2-33); DADU 96 in 66.3 overs (Waqar Ahmed 26; Mohammad Sharif 4-24, Mohammad Mureed 4-29).

At Company Bagh Ground, Mardan: Mardan beat Fata by three wickets.

FATA 200 in 47.2 overs (Ishaq Afridi 38, Saeed Khan 31, Rehan Afridi 29, Fawad Khan 25, Ijaz Ahmed Afridi 20; Fawad Malook 6-72, Aamir Shahzad 3-66); MARDAN 203-7 in 35.2 overs (Saifullah Khan 109 not out, Khalilullah Khan 46; Mohammad Irfan 3-68, Ijaz Ahmed Afridi 2-28).