The jubilant Peshawar team celebrates their win over Karachi Blues after the final of the Haier Q8 T-20 Cup played at Pindi Cricket Stadium. PHOTO: APP
Two unbeaten half centuries by Iftikhar Ahmed and Muhammad Rizwan and three-wicket haul by Imran Khan Junior enabled Peshawar to defend their title defeating Karachi Blues by seven wickets in the final match of the Haier National T20 Cup at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Asked to bat first, Karachi (B) were restricted to 177 as Imran Junior took three wickets while his namesake senior grabbed two wickets for 35. Captain Zohaib Khan chipped in with one for 38.
Khurram Manzoor scored 41 off 24 balls while unbeaten captain scored 47 off 26 balls for Karachi Blues. They remained the top scorers for their side.
Chasing 178, Peshawar reached the target by losing just three wickets with seven balls remaining. At one stage the required run rate was almost 12 but both Rizwan and Iftikhar kept their cool and won it for Peshawar.
The unbeaten wicket-keeper batman Rizwan scored 58 off 34 balls hitting eight fours and one six, building a 110-run partnership with Iftikhar who, in his quickfire innings of 57, struck two fours and fours sixes. Opener Rafatullah Mohmand scored 43 off 23 balls.
Anwar Ali, Abdul Ameer and Shahid Afridi were only able to take one wicket each for 34, 39 and 21 runs respectively. “We are really happy that we were able to defend the title,” said Peshawar’s skipper Zohaib Khan. “We chased the target with the help of a good opening.”
Man of the match Muhammad Rizwan said, “I hope to keep this performance for the national side whenever I get a chance.”
Karachi team captain Sarfaraz blamed poor fielding for their defeat. Peshawar batted really well and they deserved the win, he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 16th, 2015.
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