IA, Pakistan teams register first wins

Lucknow, May 5 (UNI) Indian Airlines (IA) and Pakistan's team Rashid Latif XI registered their first wins of Pool 'B' in the Sahara City Homes Sheesh Mahal Cricet Tournament here today.

Rashid Ltif XI beat Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) by 3 wickets at KD Singh Babu Stadium, IA registered a 5 wicket comfortable win over Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) at Chowk Stadium.

The poor form of international star and UP lad Mohd Kaif continuted. Playing for IA, Kaif managed only 24 runs in chasing a victory target of 187 set by PCA.

In contrast former Indian stumper Viay Dhaiya played an enterprising innings of 51 runs and delighted the spectators with 9 hits to the fence.

Besides Dhaiya, Shafiq Khan (40) and India discard R S Soodhi (48*) took IA near the target. The winning hit came from the bat of Sodhi, when he cleared the ball to the boundary line on the very first ball of Ishaan Malhotra's 7th over.

Earlier, put to bat first by IA skipper Dhaiya, PCA collected 186 runs in 36 overs. The overs were curtailed from 40 to 36 due to bad light.

At the Babu Stadium the strong batting line-up of UPCA bowed down against the Rashid Latif XI, barring left handed batsman Shivakant Shukla (63), rest of the team members threw their wickets cheaply and the whole team dispatched on 170 with nine balls to spare.

Pakistan's left arm off spinner Iqbal Imam grabbed 3/23 in his 8 overs quota.

UPCA bowlers in the initial stage put the pressure on Pakistan's team by removing their first two wikets earlly, however, man of the match Iqbal Iman (76) checked the onslaught of UPCA bowlers at one end.

They touched the target in 36.1 overs when Haris Ayaz hit a cover drive on Rahat Ilahi's very first ball winning by three wickets.

Tomorrow IA will tame on UPCA at Chowk Stadium, while Rashid Latif XI will face PCA at Babu Stadium.

UNI