KARACHI: Quetta Bears and Larkana Bulls recorded contrasting victories in the two second-round matches in the PCB Inter-Region Under-19 Cricket One-day Tournament on Thursday.

The Bears sealed a 26-run win against hosts Hyderabad Hawks in the Pool ‘A’ fixture at the Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad.

After being invited to bat, the Bears collected 204-9 in their stipulated 50 overs. Sagheer Ahmed scored 45 off 53 balls (five boundaries) while other main run-getters were Samiullah (37 off 48 balls, three fours and one six), Abdul Salam (35 off 41, three boundaries) and Nawab Khan (30 off 44, three fours).

Abid Jan grabbed three wickets for 18 runs and Asad Malik 2-46.

The Hawks, who also tasted defeat in the three-day game against the Bears on Tuesday, were bowled out for 178 in 46.1 overs with Asim Mahmood (33 off 32 balls, three fours and two sixes) and Daniyal Hussain (31 off 48 balls, two boundaries) being their leading run-makers.

The chief wicket-taker for the Bears was Mohammad Imran who took four for 34. Jamal Khan (3-19) and Mukhtyar Ahmed (2-41) provided good support.

Meanwhile, the Bulls earned a fine 84-run victory over Dera Murad Jamali Ibexes at the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Interna­tional Cricket Stadium in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh.

Batting first, the Bulls mustered a modest 186 in 49.4 overs. Hamesh Kumar struck the ball crisply to strike seven fours in making a 78-ball 49. Mohsin Raza slammed a solitary boundary in scoring 51-ball 39.

Allah Yar claimed three wickets for 40 runs, Sanaullah 2-33 and Aftab Ahmed 2-36.

The Ibexes, in reply, were dismissed for a measly 102 in the 47th over with Imdad Ahmed (23 off 51 balls, two boundaries) and Mohammad Asif Lashari (20 off 62, one four) being the main scorers.

Slow left-armer Ali Murtaza, the star performer in the three-day game with 12 wickets on Tuesday, returned economical figures of three wickets for 15 runs in seven overs. Sardar Ali also snared three wickets for 24 runs. Sardam Hussain chipped in with 2-23.

Results on Thursday:

At Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad: Quetta Bears bt Hyderabad Hawks by 26 runs.

QUETTA BEARS 204-9 in 50 overs (Sagheer Ahmed 45, Samiullah 37, Abdul Salam 35, Nawab Khan 30; Abid Jan 3-18, Asad Malik 2-46); HYDERABAD HAWKS 178 in 46.1 overs (Asim Mahmood 33, Daniyal Hussain 31; Mohammad Imran 4-34, Jamal Khan 3-19, Mukhtyar Ahmed 2-41).

At Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto International Cricket Stadium, Garhi Khuda Baksh: Larkana Bulls bt Dera Murad Jamali Ibexes by 84 runs.

LARKANA BULLS 186 in 49.4 overs (Hamesh Kumar 49, Mohsin Raza 39; Allah Yar 3-40, Aftab Ahmed 2-36, Sanaullah 2-33); DERA MURAD JAMALI IBEXES 102 in 46.2 overs (Imdad Ahmed 23, Mohammad Asif Lashari 20; Ali Murtaza 3-15, Sardar Ali 3-25, Sardam Hussain 2-23).

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2014