Islamabad clinch Cornelius Trophy

Islamabad on Monday claimed the Cornelius Trophy after routing Quetta by an innings and 105 runs with more than a day to spare in the final played at Multan Cricket Stadium.

Quetta, who were tottering at 57 for seven in their second innings after being forced to follow on, were dismissed in the first hour of the third day's play for just 96 runs.

Top all-rounder Yasir Arafat picked up five for 18 to finish with a match tally of eight. He was adjudged Man-of-the-Match and awarded with a cash prize of Rs 5000 and a trophy.

Other wicket-takers were Irfan Bhatti and Shakeel Ahmed, both of whom captured two each.

Islamabad had held a firm grip from the very first day scoring 355 in their first innings. Quetta could manage only 157 in reply but fared even more badly in the second innings and were clueless against a lethal attack.

Captain Irfan Bhatti was presented the Cornelius Trophy along with a winners' cheque of Rs 40,000. Islamabad's Stephen John was declared Bowler of the Tournament.

Summarised scores:

ISLAMABAD 355 (Mohammad Asif 86, Bilal Asad 71, Shakeel Ahmed 46 not out, Yasir Arafat 37, Irfan Bhatti 37);

QUETTA 157 (Aqeel Baloch 35; Shakeel Ahmed 3-27, Yasir Arafat 3-42, Rao Iftikhar 2-45) and 96 (Yasir Arafat 5-18).