Ladybird Grammar School, St Patrick High School register victories in Omar Trophy Inter-School Cricket

Ladybird Grammar School and St Patrick High School registered victories over their respective rivals in the latest league matches of the Omar Trophy Inter-School Cricket Tournament 2016, being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA).

Abdul Rafay’s fine all-round performance guided Ladybird Grammar School to an exciting three-wicket victory over CAA Model School in the Group A encounter at the Eastern Star Ground while Mohammad Usman’s exhilarating century powered St Patrick High School to an easy 72-run win over Foundation Public School in the Group G fixture at the Hill Park Ground.

Ladybird Grammar School bowled CAA Model School out for 127 in 35.4 overs despite conceding 35 extras.

Leg-spinner Asadullah (4-23) ran through the top-order with medium-pacer Abdul Rafay (2-17), later adjudged Man of the Match, and left-arm spinner Amanullah (2-19) sustaining the pressure.

None of the CAA Model School batsman could play a big knock against the steady spin-cum-pace with opener Mohammad Maaz (22 off 49 balls) being the top scorer.

CAA Model School, however, opened up the contest while defending its modest score and they seemed on top when Ladybird Grammar School lost the sixth wicket with 70 still needed for victory.

The 44-run eight wicket stand between Abdul Rafay and Anas Ali brought Ladybird Grammar School back into the game after medium-pacer Asna Sarfraz (3-28) and leg-spinner Umar Shah (2-25) had routed the top half of the batting line-up.

It was still anybody’s game when Anas Ali was dismissed for 22 off 27 balls at the total of 102 but Abdul Rafay’s unbeaten 21 off 46 balls allowed Ladybird Grammar School to reach the target of 128 in the 31st over with three wickets standing.

Mohammad Usman, whose dazzling century earned him Man of the Match award, played the key role in St Patrick High School 72-run win over Foundation Public School.

Batting first, St Patrick High School amassed 255 for eight in the allotted 40 with opener Mohammad Usman whacking two sixes and 12 fours in his 71-ball 100. Exxon John’s unbeaten 38 off 47 balls prevented them from getting bowled out after a middle-order collapse.

The spin duo of Osama Khan (2-41) and Mohammad Abbas (2-44) pulled it back for Foundation Public School after the early onslaught from Mohammad Usman.

Chasing a target of 256 in 40, Foundational Public School got off to a solid start as openers Bilal Khurram (32 off 58 balls) and Osama Khan (28 off 41 balls) added 60 for the first wicket.

The introduction of spinners slowed down the rate of scoring and Foundation Public School lost wickets at regular intervals to be restricted to 183 for nine.

St Patrick High School’s off-spinners Zayan Ahmed (2-36) and Exxon John (1-36) were instrumental in choking the run-rate and medium-pacer Syed Shayan Zaheer (2-24) return to clean the tail.

Asad-ul-Haq powers Springfield School into Omar Trophy Inter-School Cricket semifinals

All-rounder Asad-ul-Haq powered Springfield School into the semifinals of the Omar Trophy Inter-School Cricket Tournament 2016, being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), as they knocked down the defending champions, Beaconhouse School System, by 46 runs in the quarter-finals at the Naya Nazimabad Lawai Stadium.

The quarter-final round came to an end with this match with Springfield School, Fahad Academy, Qadri Public School and Kamran Public School having advanced to the semifinals, scheduled to be held at the National Stadium, Karachi, next week.

Asad-ul-Haq, declared Man of the Match, produced an impressive all-round effort which enabled Springfield School to overpower the holders, Beaconhouse School System.

Put into bat by the Beaconhouse School System skipper, Ammar Iqbal, Springfield School overcame a shaky start to reach a competitive total of 177, getting bowled out on the final ball of the innings.

The recovery was led by Asad-ul-Haq, whose counter-attacking 40 off 33 balls with the help of eight boundaries shifted the pressure on the bowlers. Mubashir Ahmed (28 off 33 balls), Badar Qureshi (26 off 52 balls) and Syed Ali Nasim (25 off 42 balls) chipped in with useful contributions to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Beaconhouse School System’s left-arm spinner Huzaifa Ali Khan (3-35) and off-spinner Shayan Khan (2-22) prevented the total getting into mammoth proportions while medium-pacer Ahmed Kabir (2-42) had dislodged both the openers cheaply.

Chasing a target of 178 in 40 overs, Beaconhouse School System got a decent start through the opening pair of Haris Bin Tahir and Zeeshan Iqbal, who added 41 for the first wicket in quick time.

Zeeshan Iqbal departed after scoring 24 off 19 balls with the help of one six and four fours but Haris Bin Tahir stayed at the crease much longer, striking one six and six fours in his 60 off 82.

Things, however, started to happen with the introduction of spin, as left-armer Badar Qureshi, after breaking the opening partnership, got another couple of wickets in his eight-over spell, yielding 33 overs. The other left-arm spinner, Asad-ul-Haq, bowled even better, returning the figures of three for 20 off eight overs.

Off-spinner Mubashir Amin and leg-spinner Syed Ali Nasim also chipped in with a wicket each as Beaconhouse School System was bowled out for 131 in 33 overs, losing their last eight wickets for only 28 runs.

Rahman Ghani guides Fahad Academy into Omar Trophy Inter-School Cricket semifinals

All-rounder Rahman Ghani guided Fahad Academy into the semifinals of the Omar Trophy Inter-School Cricket Tournament 2016, being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), as they edged out Ebrahim Ali Bhai School by four wickets in the quarter-finals at the Naya Nazimabad Lawai Stadium.

Fahad Academy has now joined Qadri Public School and Kamran Public School in the semifinal line-up which will be completed by the winners of the last quarter-final tie between Beaconhouse School System and Springfield School.

Rahman Ghani, adjudged Man of the Match, came up with invaluable all-round performance to keep Fahad Academy afloat as they were seriously tested by Ebrahim Ali Bhai School.

Batting first, after winning the toss, Ebrahim Ali Bhai School squandered the brilliant start to their innings by getting bowled out for a paltry 117 in 31 overs. They pulled it back while defending the low total only to be denied by Rahman Ghani’s brilliant knock. 

Openers Asad Amin (42 off 97 balls) and Zia-ur-Rahman (32 off 33 balls) provided Ebrahim Ali Bhai School a solid foundation by adding 61 for the first wicket. None of their teammates could emulate them as the introduction of spinners turned the game.

Leg-spinner Hammad Hasan (4-8) and Rahman Ghani (2-9) rocked their innings and Fahad Academy became the favourites after bringing about a sensational collapse which saw Ebrahim Ali Bhai School lose 10 wickets for only 56 runs.

Fahad Academy, chasing 118 off 40 overs, ran into trouble as the top half of their batting was back in the hut with only 68 runs on the board. It was the left-arm spin of Mohammad Usman, who picked up four wickets for 23 runs, which opened up the contest.

Rahman Ghani, however, stood calm and his unbeaten 46 off 55 balls allowed Fahad Academy to get over the line with four wickets and as many as 11.2 overs in hand. He hit five boundaries in his match-winning knock.

Kamran Public School storm into Omar Trophy Inter-School Cricket semifinals

Kamran Public School stormed into the semifinals of the Omar Trophy Inter-School Cricket Tournament 2016, being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), by whipping Oasis English Secondary School by 89 runs in the quarter-finals at the Naya Nazimabad Lawai Stadium.


Qadri Public School had already entered semifinals after having knocked out St Patrick High School in the first quarter-final. In the remaining quarter-finals, Fahad Academy will be up against Ebrahim Ali Bhai School and Beaconhouse School System will take on Springfield School.

Choosing to bat, after winning the toss, Kamran Public School amassed an impressive total of 241 for six in the allotted 40 overs. Oasis English Secondary School, in reply, was bowled out for 143 in 30.5 overs.

Kamran Public School got off a flying start as the 101-run opening partnership between Anas Ilyas and Tariq Bakht laid the foundation for a big score.

Tariq Bakht departed after making 35 off 44 balls with the help of four boundaries but Anas Ilyas stayed longer, contributing 87 off 83 balls with the help of one six and four fours.

Oasis English Secondary School stemmed the flow of runs through leg-spinner Talha Ahsan (3-43) but Kamran Public School succeeded in raising the total past 225, thanks to the fighting unbroken 49-run seventh wicket stand between Abdul Moiz (42 off 38 balls) and Osama Adnan (24 off 32 balls).

Chasing a target of 229 in 40 overs, Oasis English Secondary School also started their innings on a positive note with openers Mohammad Saeed (43 off 43 balls) and Mohammad Kashan (21 off 19 balls) adding 63 for the first wicket in rapid time.

The complexion of the game changed dramatically when both the openers were run out in quick succession. Kamran Public School regained control through the spin trio of Obaidullah (3-26), Osama Adnan (3-33) and Mohammad Ovais (2-21) as Oasis English Secondary School lost their last seven wickets for only 63 to be all out for 152.

Kamran Public School’s opening batsman Anas Ilyas was adjudged Man of the Match for his 87, edging out skipper Osama Adnan, who claimed three wickets besides scoring an unbeaten 24.

Knockout phase of Omar Trophy Inter-School Cricket Tournament underway

The Omar Trophy Inter-School Cricket Tournament 2016, being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), has reached the knockout stage upon the conclusion of 48 league matches.

The tournament, contested by 32 teams, which got underway at the Karachi Gymkhana Cricket Ground on September 1, will be concluding, as per the original schedule, with the final and the prize distribution ceremony at the National Stadium, Karachi, on November 13.

Both the semifinals, also to be staged at the National Stadium on November 11 and 12, alongwith the final, will be televised live.

All the four quarter-finals will be played at Naya Nazimabad Lawai Stadium. In the first quarter-final, Qadri Model School has beaten St Patrick High School by six wickets while in the remaining quarter-finals, to be held during the current week, Kamran Public School will be taking on Oasis English Secondary School, Fahad Academy will lock horns with Ebrahim Ali Bhai School and Beaconhouse School System will combat Springfield School.

At the end of the league matches, Beaconhouse School System, Fahad Academy, Qadri Model School, Oasis English Secondary School, Springfield School, Ebrahim Ali Bhai School, St Patrick High School and Kamran Public School had emerged champions in Groups A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H respectively to advance to the quarter-finals.

Like the league matches, the knockout fixtures will also be limited to 40 overs per innings and no bowler will be permitted to bowl more than eight overs in a match whereas in order to encourage fast bowlers, the teams will not be allowed to use spinners during the first six overs.

This is for the eighth time when the PVCA has successfully organized the Inter-Schools tournament in Karachi, having launched it with great fanfare in 1999. The event is being sponsored by Omar Associates (Pvt) Ltd with Bank Alfalah Ltd being the co-sponsors.

Al-Fatima School overcome Mubashir Nawaz’s century, three-for in Omar Trophy Inter-School Cricket

Mubashir Nawaz’s rare double of a century and three-wicket haul went in vain as Al-Fatima School edged out The Educator School by one wicket in the nail-biting Group D tie of the Omar Trophy Inter-School Cricket Tournament 2016, being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), at the KCCA Stadium on September 28.

In the day’s other matches, St Patrick High School overwhelmed Behbud Boys Secondary School by 95 runs in the Group G encounter at the Hill Park Ground while Oasis English School defeated Khan Secondary School by 43 runs in the Group D fixture at the Eastern Star Ground.

But it was the contest between Al-Fatima School and The Educator School which produced the most absorbing battle and the best all-round individual performance yet during the competition.

Opener Mubashir Nawaz stroked 11 boundaries in his superlative knock of 109 off 108 balls to enable The Educator School install a respectable total of 199. He fought a lone battle against the Al-Fatima School bowlers as the innings was dented by off-spinners Waqas Ansari (4-42) and Fahad Ali (2-25) besides medium-pacer Kafeel Khan (2-26).

Chasing a target of 200 in 40 overs, Al-Fatima School got off to a cracking start through the opening pair of Kamal Khan (50 off 50 balls) and Kafeel Khan (28 off 37 balls), who added 79 for the first wicket in quick time. It was the leg-spin of Mubashir Nawaz (3-34) and Zaid Bin Haris (2-29) which brought The Educator School back in the game.

Fierce battle ensued between bat and ball ensued in the final phase even after a cameo from Syed Hunail (36 off 23 balls) and the outcome remained in doubt until the last pair got Al-Fatima School over the line. The consolation for The Educator School was Man of the Match award for Mubashir Nawaz.

Opener Mohammad Usman’s brilliant 89 off 88 balls with the help of one six and 11 fours alongwith useful contributions from Basit Kaleem (44 off 26 balls), Sharjeel Ahmed (30 off 16 balls) and Exxon John (30 off 46 balls) allowed St Patrick High School to post an impressive total of 258 for eight in 40 overs against Behbud Boys Secondary School.

St Patrick High School’s all-rounders Sharjeel Ahmed (4-19) and Mohammad Usman (2-30) also starred with the ball to send Behbud Boys Secondary School tumbling to 163 all out in 30.1 overs with none of the batsmen getting past 30. Mohammad Usman was adjudged Man of the Match.

Electing to bat, after winning the toss, Oasis English School was all out for 196 against Khan Secondary School. The score was made possible largely by Abdullah (31 off 56 balls), Shah Faisal (27 off 30 balls), Adnan Khan (23 off 33 balls) and Shoaib Roz (22 off 33 balls) as they were tested by the spin trio of Sher Bahadur (3-31), Wajid Khan (2-24) and Majid Aslam (2-29).

Set a target of 197 in 40 overs, Khan Secondary School’s innings couldn’t gain momentum after both the openers were removed early by medium-pacer Adnan Khan. The pressure was sustained by left-arm spinner Abdul Mannan (3-24), who was declared Man of the Match, and off-spinner Shoaib Roz (2-34). Rashid Khan’s 38 off 34 balls with the help of one six and four fours briefly revived Khan Secondary School’s hopes before they were bowled out for 153 in 36.1 overs.