AKU STAFF 'A' TEAM WINS THE TWENTY20 CRICKET TITLE

AKU Staff 'A' Team annexed the Aga Khan University (AKU) Sports & Rehabilitation Centre Twenty20 Ramadan Color Cricket Tournament 2005 after beating Apparel Net by 49 runs in the final at AKU Sports Centre Ground yesterday. The highlights of the final were the glorious knock by Shahid Hussain (43), Mir Afzal Baig (39). Tidy Bowling by Adnan Jafri (3-33), Moiz Mehdi (3-27) respectively. AKU Staff 'A' Team won the toss and elected to bat first. They scored 192 for loss of 8 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. Excellent performance was seen by Mir Afzal Baig (39 - 6x4, 1x6)), Shahid Hussain (43 - 4x3, 1x6), Rahim Suleman (25 - 3x6), and Badar Jiwani (21 2x4). Atif Malik (2-42) and Aftab Ahed (2-34) were the wicket takers. In their turn Apparel Net was restricted for 143 for 9 in allotted 20 overs. Hasan Danish (29), M. Fahad (24), M. Sohail (23) and Khurram (20) were the main run getters for the losers. Adnan Jafri 3-33 and Moiz Mehdi 3-27 bold well for their side to victory. The Chief Guest Mr. Naseem-ul-Ghani, Regional Development Manager, Pakistan Cricket Board distributed the prizes amongst the players. The Winning Trophy was received by Adnan Jafri (AKU), Runner's Up Trophy by Aamir Shah (Apparel Net), Best Batsmen Award was given to Mir Afzal Baig of AKU 'A' Team (202 runs in 5 innings), Best Bowler Award was awarded to Azam Khan of Apparel Net (10 wickets/68 runs in 3 innings), Player of the Tournament Award was given to Adnan Jafri of AKU 'A' Team (270 & 6 wickets/87 runs) and Man of the Final match was given to Shahid Hussain of AKU 'A' Team (43 runs and took 3 catches) All team players were given individual prizes.

Mr. Naseem-ul-Ghani in his address appreciated the efforts of the AKU Sports Centre Management for the successful completion of the Ramadan Cricket Tournament and hoped that the tradition would be kept on in the following years. He especially thanked Riaz Akbar Contractor and his colleagues for inviting him in such a prestigious and colorful ceremony. Earlier Mr. Riaz Akbar Contractor described the main features of the tournament. He mentioned that 6 teams of repute of Karachi (including two AKU Staff Teams) participated and hoped that the organizations will also cooperate in future programmes too. Mr. Riaz Akbar Contractor in his welcome speech thanked Mr. Naseem-ul-Ghani and other distinguished guests who spared their valuable time to attend the function.