Zeeshan's second century gives Peshawar U-19 title
Talented opener Zeeshan Mohsin scored his second century of the final against Lahore Blues to carve out a remarkable eight-wicket victory for Peshawar that gave them their first ever National Under-19 Grade-I title Saturday
14-Oct-2001
Talented opener Zeeshan Mohsin scored his second century of
the final against Lahore Blues to carve out a remarkable
eight-wicket victory for Peshawar that gave them their first
ever National Under-19 Grade-I title Saturday.
After Lahore Blues had made a brave declaration on 281 for
seven, leaving their rivals to score 232 for an outright
victory on the fourth day at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Peshawar
faced little difficulty in doing so, thanks to Zeeshan's
unbeaten 135.
Zeeshan together with Abdul Nasir who hit a 41-ball half
century, flogged the Lahore attack and the two were involved
in a 143-run first wicket partnership. Their heroics helped
Peshawar romp home in 45 overs scoring 234 for two.
Zeeshan in his 170-minute stay at the wicket dispatched 18
hits to the boundary and faced 153 balls. He had scored 114
in the first innings. Nasir on the other hand was at the
wicket for 87 minutes and was eventually bowled by Salman
Butt who had him caught by Hafiz Bilal for exactly 50.
Leg-spinner Azhar Ali took the only other Peshawar wicket to
fall when had Masood Afridi caught by Hafiz Bilal for 12.
Zeeshan and Nasir were also involved in a century stand in
the first innings when added 117 with Nasir making 55.
Appropriately, Peshawar captain Aftab Khan was at the crease
when the victory was achieved, scoring 29 in the unfinished
third wicket partnership of 51 with Zeeshan. Earlier, Lahore
Blues, who had resumed their second innings on 159 for four,
added another 122 runs before declaring their second
innings.
Following the final, manager of the Pakistan team Yawar
Saeed, gave away the trophy to Peshawar captain Aftab Khan
and winners' cheque of Rs 40,000. Lahore Blues had to be
content with the runners-up trophy and a purse of Rs 20,000.
Khaqan Arsal of Lahore Blues was declared the Best Batsman
of the Tournament, with the top bowler's award going to
Bahawalpur's Mubashir Ali. Peshawar's Kashif Hayat was
adjudged the Best Wicket-keeper while his team-mate Aftab
Khan earned the title of Best Fielder.
The balance of power has gradually swung towards the
northern parts of the country from big powers like Karachi
and Lahore. Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata)
earned the rights to play in the Grade-I championship next
season by winning the National Grade-II Championship earlier
this month.
This is not the first time that a national honour had been
won by Peshawar. In the 1998-99 season, Peshawar made
history by clinching the coveted first-class crown - The
Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Grade-I National Championship.