KARACHI - Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL), having the services of top national cricketers, clinched the inaugural edition of President’s Cricket Trophy after defeating Habib Bank by 75 runs on the final day here Friday at the National Stadium.
However, the victory did not come as easily as it was expected at the close of the fourth day of the match on Thursday. The winners had to struggle hard for long periods of time as HBL tail end wagged vigorously to give some anxious moments to the ultimate winners before the trophy landed in the hands of SNGPL skipper Misbahul Haq.
Sun shone brightly when the teams went in for the final day with SNGPL certain to clinch the match quickly. However, the last four HBL batsmen made their opponents sweat before the bankers 2nd innings folded at 253 with opener Imran Farhat coming at six down scoring defiant 49. Pakistan’s T20 skipper M Hafeez grabbed three crucial wickets including that of Imran Farhat.
His other two victims were Asad Shafiq (58) and Abdur Rehman (11). In all, Hafeez grabbed seven wickets in the final.
SNGPL had scored 283 in its first effort and HBL replied with 137. SNGPL fumbled in the second knock and were all out for 182. However by that time, they had built a huge three hundred plus runs advantage over the bankers.
HBL may have lost the final but in the second innings, they retrieved some of its honour by putting up fighting batting display.
Zulfiqar Baber of wapda was declared the best bower, Sarfaraz Ahmed of PIA the best wicketkeeper and Ahmed Shahzad of HBL the best fielder of the competition.
Summarised scores:
SNGPL first innings: 283 and second innings: 182
HBL first innings: 137 and second innings (overnight 16-6): 253 (Imran Farhat 49, Asad Shafiq 58, Fahad Masood 29, Younus Khan 25, Abdul Hafeez 3-62, Asad Ali 2-67, Imran Khalid 2-31, Imran Ali 2-24).
Result: SNGPL won by 75 runs.