ISLAMABAD, April 13: Defending champions Asif Memorial were off to a flying start in the ICA-PTV League Cricket Championship as they hammered PTV by six wickets on the opening day at the CRA Ground.

In a low scoring match, PTV could manage only 189 runs in 43.1 overs after they had been put in to bat first. Muhammad Taj with 37 was the top scorer followed by Anyatullah (34) and Naseer Ahmed (28).

Asif Memorial’s off-spinner Chaudhry Iftikhar played his part to perfection collecting four wickets for 30 runs while the seasoned Rao Iftikhar took three for 50. Another player to impress was wicket-keeper Azhar Ayub with five victims.

Asif Memorial’s task never looked difficult as they romped home in 33.5 overs losing four wickets. Hasan Arshad scored 46 and Hammadullah contributed 34. Rao Iftikhar remained not out on 33.

Summarised scores:

PTV 189 in 43.1 overs (Muhammad Taj 37, Anayatullah 34, Naseer Ahmed 28; Ch. Iftikhar 4-30, Rao Iftikhar 3-50).

Asif Memorial 190-4 in 33.4 overs (Hasan Arshad 46, Hammadullah 34, Rao Iftikhar 33 not out, Azhar Ayub 32, Raheel Majeed 29; Naseer Ahmed Jnr 2-42).