Pakistan local:KESC trounce Paragon

Karachi, Dec 8: A hurricane unbeaten knock of 96 by Tariq Haroon powered KESC to an easy 58-run victory over Paragon Constructors in the 15th Karachi Gymkhana Ramazan Cricket Festival for Tapal Trophy here at the Karachi Gymkhana Ground on Friday.

Tariq's belligerent 56-ball innings was embellished with four sixes and seven fours as KESC amassed exactly 200 for nine in their allotted quota of 22 overs after electing to bat first.

Tariq and guest player Iqbal Imam, who made 31 off 28 deliveries with two fours and a six, shared an invaluable fifth-wicket partnership of 72.

Slow left-armer Asif Tahir and leg-spinner Manzoor Akhtar claimed two wickets apiece, while conceding 35 and 46 runs respectively.

Paragon Constructors, in reply, were all out for 142 in 21.5 overs. Only opener Z.P. Khan batted with any conviction to make 30 off 20 deliveries. His innings was laced with five boundaries.

Leg-spinner and KESC skipper Zafar Ali and part-time medium-pacer Abdullah Khan excelled with three for 16 and three for 31 respectively. Col Mustahsan Billah chipped in with two for 18 with his slow left-arm spin.

Summarized scores:

KESC 200 for nine in 22 overs (Tariq Haroon 96 not out, Iqbal Imam 31; Asif Tahir 2-35, Manzoor Akhtar 2-46);

Paragon constructors 142 in 21.5 overs (Z.P. Khan 30; Zafar Ali 3-16, Abdullah Khan 3-31, Mustahsan Billah 2-18).

Saturday's fixture: Northern Gymkhana v Landhi Friends (Group C).