SNGPL, UBL face-off in President’s Trophy final

Defending champions favourites as skipper Misbah returns.

KARACHI: UBL, who were on an impressive stint under the captaincy of Atif Maqbool in President’s Trophy league phase a month ago, will have to re-gather their act as they face defending champions SNGPL in the final today at the Multan Cricket Stadium.

SNGPL will go into the match as favourites as they welcome back skipper Misbahul Haq. On the other hand, they would be without key players Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Akmal and Bilawal Bhatti, who are leaving for the World T20 in Bangladesh. Instead they will still have the services of Azhar Ali, Taufeeq Umar and wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal.

SNGPL will rely on Misbah, who scored a century in his only outing, and their other main contributors with the bat, which include Naeemuddin (539), Ali Waqas (450), Taufeeq (437) and Azhar (319), while their bowling attack will be led by Samiullah Niazi, Imran Ali and Yasir Shah.

“We’ve been playing without top players throughout the season and I’m confident that SNGPL will win the tournament,” coach Basit Ali told The Express Tribune.

“Misbah’s inclusion in the squad will be a great boost for us. His commitment to the team and domestic cricket has been exemplary.”

On the other hand, UBL have leading run-scorer Abid Ali, who has scored 795 runs in 10 matches at an average of 46.67, and highest wicket-taker Maqbool, who claimed 53 wickets in nine matches with two 10-wicket hauls.

“It’s going to be tough to win the final but it’s not impossible for us,” UBL skipper Maqbool said.

“We’ve beaten some of the strongest teams this season so the self-belief is there and everybody is charged up to do well in the final to end the season on a high note.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 12^th, 2014.

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