KARACHI: Rawalpindi took early control in the PCB Inter-region Under-19 (Three-day) Cricket Tournament final after dismissing Faisalabad for a paltry 133 on day one of the four-day final on Monday.

Rawalpindi skipper Umair Masood’s decision to field first after winning the toss at the Mirpur Cricket Stadium in Mirpur (Azad Kashmir) paid off immediately as Faisalabad slumped to 78-7.

Only a late rearguard from all-rounder Mohammad Mishal Khan, who hit six boundaries in a defiant 53-0ball knock of 35, carried past the 100-run mark. Mishal and Qamar Abbas (14) shared an eighth-wicket partnership of 45.

The damage was inflicted by pace quartet of Ibrar Zaman (3-45 in 12 overs), Nasir Nawaz (3-23 in 7.3 overs) and Mohammad Waqar (2-21 in 10).

Rawalpindi then completed a good day by reaching 106-2 at close of play despite losing Ata-ul-Mustafa to the fifth ball of the innings for a duck.

But opener Usman Haider then struck 43 off 89 balls with three fours and Nasir eight fours in a 48-ball 38 as the pair put on 57 for the unbroken stand for the third wicket after Usman and Hasnain Ahmed (10) added 49.

Close of play scores on Monday (day one of four):

FAISALABAD 133 in 43.3 overs (Mohammad Mishal Khan 35, Abdul Samad 18, Mohammad Shahid Khan 16, Mohammad Saleem 15; Nasir Nawaz 3-23, Ibrar Zaman 3-45, Mohammad Waqar 2-21); RAWALPINDI 106-2 in 30 overs (Usman Haider 43 not out, Nasir Nawaz 38 not out).

Published in Dawn November 1st, 2016