Marka-e-Haq Independence Day Festivities, Directorate of Sports Defeats SWA in exhibition cricket match

By Shahid Afridi
PESHAWAR: As part of the Marka e Haq and Independence Day celebrations organized by the Directorate General of Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Regional Sports Office Peshawar and the district administration an exhibition cricket match was held at Qayyum Sports Complex Peshawar in which the Directorate of Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa defeated the Sports Writers Association (SWA) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by 40 runs to claim the trophy.

Administrator Peshawar Sports Complex Yousaf Afridi was named Man of the Match for his outstanding performance. Provincial Minister for Sports Syed Fakhar Jahan distributed prizes among the winning players. He was accompanied by DG Sports Tashfeen Haider, Regional Sports Officer Kashif Farhan, AD Accounts Shah Faisal, Secretary of Khyber Union of Journalists Irshad Ali, SWA President Asim Shiraz and other notable figures.

In accordance with the provincial government’s directives the exhibition match saw the Directorate of Sports team led by Provincial Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Syed Fakhar Jahan win the toss and bat first, scoring 120 runs in the allotted 10 overs. Yousaf Afridi top-scored with 55 runs, followed by Minister for Sports Syed Fakhar Jahan with 25, and DG Sports Tashfeen Haider with 18 runs. For SWA Shahid Afridi, Irshad Ali, Shehzada Fahad and Bilal Afridi each took one wicket.

In reply the Sports Writers Association team could only manage 80 runs while chasing the target. Irshad Ali 22, Bilal Afridi 19 and Waqar Ahmad 14 runs were the main contributors. The Directorate General of Sports team thus secured a 40 runs victory and lifted the trophy.