RAWALPINDI - Master blaster Fawad Alam excelled in Karachi Whites to title victory when they routed star-studded Islamabad in the National One-Day Cup Regions 2017-18 final played here at Pindi Stadium Sunday.
It was justice done in the end, as Islamabad was never a local team and hired super stars of Pakistan cricket, while on the other hand, Karachi Whites were heavily relying on local players, as they included just two guest players. Karachi got off to the worst possible start to their run-chase, as semifinal hero and in-form Khurram Manzoor was cleaned up by Raza Hassan, who was introduced by Shan Masood to start the bowling. Soon Karachi lost skipper Asad Shafiq at the total of 28.
When chips were down and Islamabad were sensing victory, as no one even Rawalpindi Region coach Sabih Azhar had predicted that Karachi won’t be able to score even 270 plus and it would be easy ride for Islamabad, but Fawad Alam had other ideas in store for Islamabad. Cool Fawad batted with authority and put Islamabad bowlers at sword. His outstanding knock was a treat to watch for the crowd, who were fully behind Karachi. Danish Aziz also batted brilliantly and remained unbeaten after scoring breath-taking 84 off 65 balls, hitting 4 boundaries and 6 towering sixes, which guided Karachi towards title win.
Fawad and Danish were involved in massive 192-run fifth-wicket stand. Fawad was finally out but not before scoring 149 off 130 balls, hitting 18 boundaries. Danish remained at the crease till the end and ensured Karachi achieve the target in 49.3 overs for the loss of 5 wickets. Raza Hassan was the only bowler, who took less bashing and finished with 1-49 while while Noman Ali, Hamza Nadeem, Ahmed Bashir and Shahzad Azam Rana got one wicket each conceding 61, 70, 76 and 80 runs respectively.
Earlier, Islamabad skipper Shan Masood won the toss and decided to bat first on highly overcast conditions. The decision looked highly risky, as Karachi had the likes of Zia and M Sami, but Karachi’s flop fielding, drop catches, poor planning and questionable bowling helped Islamabad pile up big total of 347-4. Instead of going all-out attacking, Karachi captain Asad Shafiq never utilised his options according to situation.
Shan Masood once again got charm lives but he finally caught by part-timer Asad Shafiq, while opener Abid Ali was the first to go after scoring 37. Soon it was 103-2 as skipper Shan Masood was caught and bowl by Asad after scoring 51. Local boy Faizan Riaz was the third to go at the total of 153. Islamabad batting was looking a bit shaky at that point, but thanks to butter finger Akbar-ur-Rehman, who dropped Shahid Yousaf, when he was batting at 11. He then played brilliantly and slammed unbeaten 96 off 74 balls and he was ably assisted by in-form Babar Azam who smashed 95-ball 105, hitting 8 fours and 2 sixes. Skipper Asad Shafiq and Danish Aziz claimed one wicket each.
Karachi Region team was awarded Rs 1 million and trophy, while Islamabad got runners-up trophy and Rs 500,000. Fawad Alam was declared man of the final, Shan Masood best batsman (656 runs), M Imran of Faisalabad Region best bowler (14 wickets) and Abid Ali of Islamabad outstanding player/al-rounder (509 runs and 9 dismissals behind stumps) and all received Rs 100,000 each. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) never bothered to send any top official, so GM Domestic Shafiq Ahmed, who was in Rawalpindi for last few days, along with Rawalpindi Region president Major (r) Naeem Gillani and Shakil Shakih, distributed prizes among the players and teams.
It was better crowd witnessed in the final as Imran Khan enclosure was almost pack to capacity. Had the Pindi Stadium administration allowed spectators to witness the final, it could have been massive crowd, as the youngsters were gathered in numbers outside the main gate of the stadium, but they were never allowed to come in, while Islamabad and Rawalpindi Region presidents were not only provided VVIP treatment, free entry, chairman boxes, but also free meal.
