Muhammad Yaqoob’s terrific all-round show earned Fahad Academy 44-run triumph over KBV-CAA School in a Group D fixture of the 9thPVCA/EBM Inter-School Cricket Tournament 2018 at the Asghar Ali Shah Stadium, Karachi, on October 16. 

The tournament, having the participation of 32 schools of Karachi, is being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA) and sponsored by English Biscuit Manufacturers (EBM), the makers of the famed Peek Freans biscuits. 

Muhammad Yaqoob followed up his fluent knock of 67 down the order with a magnificent five-wicket haul with his leg-spin to lead Fahad Academy to a comfortable victory in the end. He was adjudged Man of the Match. 

Fahad Academy, who batted first after calling correctly, found themselves in dire straits with the top half of their batting back in the hut cheaply despite opener Zeeshan Ahmed’s fluent 39 off 32 balls. At 82 for six they seemed in danger of being bowled out cheaply but Muhammad Yaqoob rescued them with his 60-ball 67 containing one six and five fours. 

Fahad Academy was eventually bowled out for 200 in 32.3 overs with the bowling honours shared between KBV-CAA School’s pace trio of Zain-ul-Abedin (3-38), Ahmed Raza (2-36) and Haris Abid (2-43). 

 The 93-run second wicket partnership between opener Muhammad Maaz (63 off 97 balls) and Asad Majeed (33 off 66 balls) put KBV-CAA School in the driving seat but they were derailed by Muhammad Yaqoob who finished with the excellent figures of five for 29. 

Off-spinner Muhammad Shaheryar (2-20) also bowled well as KBV-CAA School was bowled out for 156 in 34 overs despite the contribution of 34 extras.