Pakistan Domestic: Chaos delays Trophy match

Karachi, Jan 22: The start of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy National Cricket Championship Pool 'A' encounter between Karachi Blues and Sargodha here at the UBL Sports Complex was delayed by 30 minutes because of chaotic scenes on Saturday.

Several persons, armed with pistols, stormed into the ground in an effort to force the KCCA management to include a couple of outsiders in the Karachi Blues playing XI.

According to eye witnesses, the intruders threatened to manhandle the KCCA officials when they were told not to meddle in the selection matters. But tactful handling by the Karachi Blues manager and the timely intervention of the area SDM diffused a potentially explosive situation getting out of hands, and the miscreants were chased off. This ugly incident marred an otherwise fine day for the home team with debutant wicket-keeper Tariq Sabzwari being the star performer as he claimed six victims, including a stumping.

After being sent in, Sargodha crashed to 39 for seven in the shortened morning session before reaching a final tally of 138. Diminutive left-arm medium-pacer Imranullah was the chief destroyer with fine figures of five for 54 that also included a spell of three for 10.

Sargodha skipper Ahmed Hayat offered some resistance by making a defiant 64 off 154 balls in almost three hours with eight fours. He shared a breezy ninth-wicket stand worth 62 in 43 minutes with Umair Hasan.

By stumps, Karachi Blues had replied with 59 for two.