National One-Day Cup for Regions: Sublime Peshawar crowned champions

Gauhar, Ahmed register unbeaten 276-run partnership to steer side to 124-run win

KARACHI: Centuries by Gauhar Ali and Iftikhar Ahmed helped Peshawar clinch the National One-Day Cup for Regions as they defeated Karachi Whites by 124 runs in the final at the National Stadium in Karachi on Friday.

Asked to bat first, Peshawar posted a total of 321-2 as Gauhar struck 19 fours and a six in his 145-run knock to form an unbeaten partnership with Ahmed, who made 131 off 115 balls, after losing the wickets of Musadiq Ahmed (one) and Israrullah (29) early on in the game.

Karachi Whites’ Anwar Ali and Tabish Khan took one wicket each giving away 58 and 61 runs respectively.

“We are really happy to take the title home. This is the sixth title since I became coach and that is a real achievement,” Peshawar head coach Abdul Rehman told The Express Tribune. “The main efforts are of the players, the real talent is in them; they are the one who make me successful.”

He further added that a coach’s responsibility is to devise a plan and ensure the players follow it; the rest is up to the players themselves. “Before a match I give plans to the players which they execute and become successful. They have been fabulous throughout the tournament and they are the real champions.”

Peshawar skipper Jamaluddin said that the fact that the entire team worked as a unit was the main reason behind the success.

“Each and every players of the team play according to the plan which is the real reason behind our success,” he said before adding that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee has an increased pool of players to search from for the national side. “This tournament will give Pakistan good players now it is up to the selectors to find these players and give them a chance in the national team.”

Chasing 322, Karachi Whites lost all their wickets for 197 runs as Ahmed took three wickets for 12 runs in his four overs while Taj Wali and Sajid Khan claimed two wickets each.

Anwar Ali was the top-scorer for Karachi Whites as he made 51 runs off 47 balls while skipper Akbarur Rahman scored 45 off 48 balls.

Rahman rued the team’s poor fielding which cost the side some important wickets and also gave away unnecessary runs. “Our plan began well [as we won the toss and elected to field first] and we were able to take early wickets. However, the dropped catch of Gauhar was the game changer for us,” he said. “If we had dismissed him at that point, the game would certainly have ended in our favour.”

Rahman further revealed that he has skippered his side to two tournament finals but is yet to find victory which is disheartening. “It is my bad luck that we remain unbeaten till the final of the tournament and then somehow end up losing the final.”

He, however, was ready to bounce back and was looking forward to the next season. “We are hopeful for the future and will be looking forward to the next season. We will build a strong team and come back with nothing but victory in mind,” he said.

The winner of the tournament pocketed Rs1 million, while the runner-up bagged Rs500,000.