KARACHI: Southern Region emerged as champions of the annual Beaconhouse Inter-regional Cricket tournament for ‘O’ Level Boys after defeating Central Region by five wickets in the final at DHA Moin Khan Academy here the other day.

Central Region, batting first, made 122-9 in the allotted 20 overs. Moosa Mazhar hit 42 off 25 balls with the aid of four fours and one six while Hasan Sardar contributed a sedate 23 from 38 deliveries.

Southern Region, in reply, reached the target of 123 in 18.2 overs for the loss of five wickets.

Rohail Ahmed excelled by striking 62 off 47 balls. His knock included six fours. Hamza Imran slammed a 16-ball undefeated 25 and Muaz bin Salman struck 22 off 30 balls.

Furqan Afzaal bowled well to claim 2-15 runs in 3.2 overs.

Pakistan batsman Fawad Alam graced the title-deciding fixture as the chief guest and distributed the prizes at a ceremony that was also attended by Beaconhouse School regional director Yasmeen Aqeel.

Salar Rizwan of Northern Region was adjudged player-of-the-tournament as well as the competition’s best bowler. Rohail Ahmed of Southern Region was declared the best batsman, his team-mate Khalid Khan the best fielder while Northern Region’s Ammar Iqbal clinched the best wicket-keeper award.

Summarised scores:

CENTRAL REGION 122-9 in 20 overs (Moosa Mazhar 42, Hasan Sardar 23, Bilal Shafiq 17); SOUTHERN REGION 123-5 in 18.2 overs (Rohail Ahmed 62, Hamza Imran 25 not out, Muaz bin Salman 22; Furqan Afzaal 2-15).

Published in Dawn, November 29th, 2014