LAHORE: Malik Khizar’s first-innings century and an unbeaten half-century in the second helped Rawalpindi U-17 secure three points and a place in the final after their two-day National U-17 Cup triangular stage match against Abbottabad U-17 ended in a draw at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad on Wednesday.
The side that takes the first-innings lead in a drawn match is awarded three points as per tournament rules. The result took Rawalpindi to six points from two triangular stage matches and booked their berth in the May 11 final.
Abbottabad will face Lahore Region Blues from May 8 at the same venue to battle for the second berth in the final. Resuming day two on 211 for five, Rawalpindi added 74 more runs before being bowled out for 285 in 63.4 overs. Khizar departed after scoring a 171-ball 104, striking 10 fours, while Suleman Khan added 29 off 61.
For Abbottabad, Ammar Khan led the attack with four for 78 while Imad Ali Shah returned three for 44.
In reply, Abbottabad were bowled out for 218 in 55.3 overs to concede a 67-run first-innings lead. Hammad Khan top-scored with a 134-ball 111 featuring 17 fours. For Rawalpindi, Amir Khan picked up four for 38 while Azan Ahmed claimed three for 52.
Rawalpindi were 103 for five in their second innings when the match was called off, with Khizar remaining unbeaten on a 67-ball 53 hitting six fours and a six. Muhammad Saim picked up three for 50 for Abbottabad.
Scores in brief: Rawalpindi U-117 285 all out, 63.4 overs (Malik Khizar 104, Mohammad Sanan 64; Ammar Khan 4-78, Imad Ali Shah 3-44) and 103-5, 23 overs (Malik Khizar 53 not out; Muhammad Saim 3-50, Nafees Akhtar 2-19). Abbottabad U-17 218 all out, 55.3 overs (Hammad Khan 111; Amir Khan 4-38, Azan Ahmed 3-52, Mohammad Ibrahim 2-48).
