Naveed is South Zone’s star

L. Naveed was on fire as South Zone skittled Central Zone by nine wickets in the final to lift the Future Cup in the inter-zonal Under 12 tournament that was played recently at the Andhra Cricket Association Academy Grounds in Mangalagiri.

Naveed turned the tide in his team’s favour as he scalped five wickets while conceeding three runs to bowl out Central for a lowly 73 in 26.3 overs while Teja Reddy (3/9) and S. Adil Hussain (2/12) shared the remaining five wickets between them.

Having put Central almost out of contention in the first half, South Zone didn’t waste much time and chased down the total in 20.1 overs by losing one wicket during the course.

L. Naveed claimed the Man of the Match award for his brilliant spell.

In an earlier match, South Zone outclassed North Zone by 115 runs. P. Arjun Tendulkar hogged the limelight with an all-round show.

Opting to bat first, South rode on Arjun’s fine knock of 94 from 66 balls, which included 10 fours and a six, to reach 257/7 in 50 overs.

Arjun continued his fine show in the bowling department too as he picked four wickets while giving away 16 runs as North Zone could only mange 142/8 from 50 overs. Final: Central Zone 73 in 26.3 overs (R. Venkat Reddy 19, S. Harminder 18, L. Naveed 5/3, A. Sai Surya Teja Reddy 3/9, S. Adil Hussain 2/12) lost to South Zone 74/1 in 20.1 overs (H. H. Veera Reddy 31, M. Nayamulla 30, G. Pardha Saradhi 1/21).

Earlier matches: South Zone 257/7 in 50 overs (P. Arjun Tendulkar 94 — 66b, 10x4s, 1x6s, M. Nayamulla 68, S. Srivardhan 1/30) bt North Zone 142/8 in 50 overs (S. V. Rahul 28) P. Arjun Tendulkar 4/16, M. Nayamulla 2/7).

North Zone 239/9 in 50 overs (S. V. Rahul 69, T. Mohan Rishi Sahith 52; S. K. Abdul Razak 2/37, Revanth Nag 1/18) bt Central Zone 205/9 in 50 overs (R. Venkat Reddy 52, Sri Nischay 28, T. V. Sai Shravan 4/30, S. V. Rahul 2/25).