Peshawar defeat Karachi W to secure third One-Day Cup title

 

Peshawar defeat Karachi W to secures third One-Day Cup title

Asher Butt

LAHORE: Peshawar emerged victorious, clinching their third one-day cup title. They defeated Karachi Whites by five wickets in a thrilling final of the AH Group Presents TransGroup Pakistan Cup 2023-24 at Pindi Cricket Stadium to secure the championship.

Nabi Gul played a crucial role, scoring the winning runs for Peshawar, who were led by Sahibzada Farhan. The victory earned Peshawar a cash prize of PKR 5 million.

 

The final saw Karachi Whites opting to bat first after winning the toss. However, they faced early setbacks, losing wickets at regular intervals. Left-arm pacer Mohammad Imran was the chief destroyer, claiming four wickets for 28 runs. Karachi Whites managed to post a modest total of 103 all out in 31.2 overs. In response, Peshawar chased down the target with relative ease, securing victory with 27.4 overs to spare.

 

Mohammad Haris played a crucial role in the successful run chase, top-scoring with a quick-fire 46 from 33 balls. Despite a peculiar hit-wicket dismissal of Sahibzada Farhan, Peshawar comfortably reached the target. Noman Ali, Danish Aziz, and Saim took the four wickets that fell for Karachi Whites.

 

The player of the tournament and best wicket-keeper awards went to Multan's Haseebullah for his impressive performance, scoring 326 runs and making 10 dismissals. Saim claimed the title of the best batter of the tournament, leading the charts with 397 runs in eight innings. The best bowler award was shared by Multan's Zahid Mehmood and Peshawar's Abbas Afridi, both securing 15 wickets. Mohammad Imran was named the player of the final for his impactful figures of 4-28.

Scores in brief:

 

Peshawar beat Karachi Whites by five wickets

 

Karachi Whites 103 all out, 31.2 overs (Azam Khan 30, Sarfaraz Ahmed 22; Mohammad Imran 4-28, Mohammad Abbas Afridi 3-20)

 

Peshawar 108-5, 17.2 overs (Mohammad Haris 46; Noman Ali 2-19)

 

Player of the tournament – Haseebullah (Multan Region) (326 runs and 10 dismissals)

 

Best Batter – Saim Ayub (Karachi Region Whites) (397 runs)

 

Best Bowler – Zahid Mehmood (Multan Region) and Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Peshawar Region) (15 wickets each)

 

Best Wicket-keeper – Haseebullah (Multan Region) (326 runs and 10 dismissals)

 

Player of the final – Mohammad Imran (Peshawar Region)