KARACHI: Wicketkeeper-opener Abdullah Zareen’s magnificent unbeaten knock of 152 guided Al Fatima Academy to an imposing six-wicket victory over Ibrahim Ali Bhai Secondary School in the semifinals of the PVCA-EBM Inter-School Cricket Tournament 2018 here at the Eastern Star Ground the other day. The tournament is orangized by Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association and sponsored by English Biscuit Manufacturers (Pvt.) Ltd.
The skipper of Al Fatima Academy, Abdullah Zareen, adjudged Man of the Match, remained unconquered on 152 off 101 balls which allowed his team to reach the target of 266 with almost 10 overs to spare. Earlier Ibrahim Ali Bhai Secondary School posted a total of 265 for eight in the allotted 40 overs. Batting first, after winning the toss, Ibrahim Ali Bhai Secondary School laid strong platform for a big total as opener Irfanullah smashed a couple of towering sixes along with 11 fours in his enterprising 86 off 65 balls. He added 112 for second wicket with captain Muhammad Abbas who contributed 49 off 67 balls with the help of a solitary boundary. Another fluent partnership for third wicket between Muhammad Abbas and Muhammad Bilal saw the total surge past 150 in the 27th over with only a couple of wickets down.
Al Fatima Academy fought back through their spinners who took wickets at regular intervals to keep the rate of scoring in check despite the fine knock from Zia-ur-Rahman who remained undefeated on 61 off 45 balls, hitting two sixes and six fours. Leg-spinner Daniyal Ali (2-23) and medium-pacer Okasha Ali (2-49) were instrumental in limiting Ibrahim Ali Bhai Secondary School to a total of 265 for eight at the end of the allotted 40 overs. The target of 266 in 40 overs in the knockout game was expected to test Al Fatima Academy but the forceful 175-run second wicket partnership in less than 20 overs between Abdullah Zareen and Muhammad Abbas made it a one-sided affair in the end.
Muhammad Abbas was dismissed after scoring 69 off 52 balls with the help of 12 boundaries but Abdullah Zareen finished the job in style, hammering as many as 25 boundaries in his unbeaten 152. Off-spinner Ziaullah (2-51) was the pick of the Ibrahim Ali Bhai Secondary School bowlers but he too was unable to stem the flow of runs. The final of the Inter School Tournament will be played at the National Stadium on 30thDecember 2018.