The most coveted series of the year made an appearance in the form of a return leg fixture from April 17-19, 2018. This time, it was to be an away tour for the IBA team. The initiative of having the top business schools take part in an exclusive one on one encounter in cricket was well received the last time. Thus the return series was promising to keep this exchange a continuing and successful feature between the two universities for years to come.
The 3-match series commenced with an opening ceremony. The first game saw IBA bat first with the experienced pair of Hassan Bukhari and Syed Mohammed Omer, who displayed top-notch batting skills to rescue their team from trouble. Omer, in particular, showed his batting prowess by dispatching 7 sixes in his innings of 83. Bukhari played an important anchor for 73*.The target of 176 was chased in the second last over by LUMS after Aun Abbas, Ahsan Waheed and Huzaifa Nasir contributed vital 30+ scores to send LUMS one up in the series. Hammad Ahmed, the rookie IBA pacer was the pick of the bowlers for the day along with left-arm-spinner Saad Maqsood of LUMS.
The second match was pivoting towards a one-sided encounter as IBA batted first and lost players constantly before a solid partnership could be formed. The dependable top order was disposed off by Amar Hayat who picked up 4 wickets, supported by Abdullah Malik and Usama Masoud who picked up 2 wickets each. All seemed to be lost for IBA until an innings of bravado and composure was delivered by Ahsan Khan. The all-rounder scored 40 from 22 balls to take his team to 153, which was certainly a fighting total. Hassaan Mallick and Hammad Ahmed picked up 5 wickets amongst them with great figures. The dismissal of Ahsan Waheed with an astounding deliver by Hammad Ahmed was the highlight of the day. However, it wasn’t enough to keep the batting side down with solid innings from Aun Abbas and Ahmed Jamal. Both were dismissed towards the end of the innings as the match got interesting with LUMS needing 13 runs off the last two overs. It saw the fall of 2 wickets in succession through safe catches by Saud and Baqai. A dropped catch at short mid-wicket and a double, sealed the win and the series for LUMS.
The third match followed a similar pattern. IBA won the toss and batted first and lost both their destructive openers to short-sighted shots. With Omer out, injured Bukhari and Salaar's dismissal was going to prove a big challenge. The duo of Saud Shoaib and Aayan Baqai dug in deep to form a partnership that put IBA back in the game. The 88-run stand proved beneficial as the pair showed great running between the wickets. Baqai was first to depart for 39 and Saud was dismissed for 61 - the reverse sweep for four being worthy of a revisit. Late fireworks from Arfeen Ausaf saw IBA reach 157.
The conditions were used well by IBA pacers. Hassaan Mallick bowling out two batsmen and almost had a catch held at slip. Hammad Ahmed proving to be the pick of the bowlers on the tour. The dependable middle order led well by their skipper Aun Abbas, once again held his nerves during the difficult periods and made amends with punishing the loose deliveries. Ahsan made 44 while Aun made 53, both of whom were dismissed by Baqai. Zohaib Jameel (28*) played splendidly as he guided LUMS to a consecutive third win.
Players of the tournament for IBA - Selected by LUMS
Hassan Bukhari
Hammad Ahmed
Player of the tournament for LUMS - Selected by IBA
Aun Abbas
