KARACHI, Nov 18: Rana Naveed and Shoaib Malik struck half centuries to help star-studded Paragons Constructors notch-up a three-wicket victory over Professional Gymkhana in the Paragon Cup 2001 at UBL Sports Complex ‘A’ Ground Sunday.

Professional Gymkhana made 142-8 in their 25 overs. Paragon Constructors reached the target for the loss of seven wickets with one over to spare.

The lanky pacer Ovais Akhtar ripped through the Paragon Constructors batting who were 29 for seven at one stage.

Pinch-hitter Shahid Afridi (7), Imran Nazir (9), Imran Farhat (0), Humayun Farhat (2) and Qasier Abbas (2) fell in quick succession.

Rana, however rescued blasting a 56 off 52 balls laced with two sixes and four boundaries. Shoaib Malik cracked a hurricane unbeaten 52 that came off 47 balls included nine boundaries and a six.

Mushtaq Afridi hammered a strokeful unbeaten 82 off 49 balls to steer KESC to a comfortable 10-wicket win over Aftab Memorial CC at UBL Ground ‘B’.

Man-of-the-Match Mushtaq clubbed six sixes and nine fours.

Summarized scores:

Paragon Constructors bt Professional Gymkhana by three wickets.

Professional Gymkhana 142-8 in 25 overs (Nadeem Moosa 30, Munir-ul- Haq 28, Rizwan Umer 22, Shahid Afridi 3-26, Qasier Abbas 3-22).

Paragon Constructors 143-7 in 24 overs (Rana Naveed 56 not out, Shoaib Malik 52 not out, Ovais Akhtar 5-23, Mohtashim Rasheed 2-16). KESC beat Aftab Memorial CC by 10 wickets.

Aftab Memorial CC 116 in 19 overs (Ishtique Ahmed 25, M.Sami 25, Faisal 3-44, Jaffer Qureshi 3-15).

KESC 117-0 (Mushtaq Afridi 82 not out Tariq Hussain 18 not out).

Monday’s fixtures: Malir Gymkhana v Ideal Group (UBL ‘A’); Landhi Friends v Pak Gymkhana (UBL ‘B’).—APP