KARACHI: Three matches were decided in the PCB Senior Inter-District Cricket Tournament in the Karachi region. Zone VI, Zone II, and a thrilling tie between Zone IV and Zone VII were the key outcomes of the day.
In the first match, Regional Cricket Association (RCA) Zone VI secured a commanding 371-run victory over RCA Zone I at the RLCA Ground Gulberg. Zone VI was bowled out for 219 runs in the first innings, with Akbar ur Rahman contributing 66 runs, and Abdul Rahman adding 49. Bahadur Ali’s 4-22 and Umar Zahid’s 3-57 were the standout bowling performances.
In response, Zone I was dismissed for 98 runs, struggling against the bowling of Tariq Khan (4-32) and Saifullah (3-20). In the second innings, Arbaz Khan’s brilliant century (115) helped Zone VI declare at 386 runs. Chasing 507, Zone I managed only 136 runs, with Saifullah (4-32) leading the attack once again.
The second match at Landhi Gymkhana saw Zone II edge out Zone V by just 5 runs in a nail-biting finish. Zone II was bowled out for 154 in the first innings, with Wahaj Riaz scoring 66. In reply, Zone V was dismissed for 153, with Jawad Mehmood top-scoring with 40.
In the second innings, Zone II declared at 279-9, with notable contributions from Wahaj Riaz (54) and Hamza Sarwar (47). Zone V fell just short in their chase, bowled out for 275 despite Arsalan Bashir’s 66 and Moazam Malik’s 47.
The third match at KCCA Stadium between Zone IV and Zone VII ended in a tie. Zone VII posted 186 runs in their first innings, with Waqar Ahmed top-scoring with 66. Zone IV replied with 135, as Aftab Khan (4-35) and Fawad Khan (3-30) restricted their efforts.
In Zone VII’s second innings, Naimat Khan took 5-45, helping to dismiss them for 112. Zone IV, chasing 164, was bowled out for 163, with Fawad Khan taking a remarkable 7-38, finishing with ten wickets in the match. Yasir Mushtaq’s unbeaten 77 was the highlight of the chase, but it was not enough to secure a win.
These exciting matches continue to shape the competitive landscape of the PCB Senior Inter-District Tournament.
