Karachi Whites make history with maiden National T20 Cup Triumph

 Karachi Whites make history with maiden National T20 Cup Triumph

Asher Butt

Karachi Whites etched their name in the annals of cricket history by securing their first-ever title in the AH Group Presents Jazz Super 4G National T20 Cup. In a thrilling final at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi Whites overcame Abbottabad by a slender margin of nine runs, marking a historic achievement for the team.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Karachi Whites faced an early setback with the dismissal of Ammad Alam by right-arm seamer Adil Naz. However, a resilient 71-run partnership between Khurram Manzoor and Omair Bin Yousuf steadied the ship. Khurram's valuable half-century and contributions from Omair and Danish Aziz propelled Karachi Whites to a competitive total of 155-9 in their allotted 20 overs.

In response, Abbottabad, led by Yasir Shah, faced early challenges as right-arm pacer Shahnawaz Dahani made a quick impact by removing Sajjad Ali Jnr in the first over. Abbottabad struggled to find their rhythm as Karachi Whites bowlers applied consistent pressure, causing successive wickets.

Despite a spirited innings by Atizaz Habib Khan, who played a fighting knock with an unbeaten 43 from 26 balls, Abbottabad fell short of the target by 10 runs, finishing at 146-9 in 20 overs. Shahnawaz Dahani's stellar performance, earning him the player of the match award, included crucial wickets in the 18th over.

Shahab Khan emerged as the highest wicket-taker of the tournament, claiming 25 wickets in 10 games at an impressive average of 11.64. Peshawar's Sahibzada Farhan was honored as the best batter, accumulating 492 runs in 12 games, including a century and four half-centuries.

Sajjad Ali Jnr of Abbottabad, with 442 runs and 10 dismissals in 12 matches, secured the title of the most successful wicketkeeper in the tournament. The coveted player of the tournament award went to Iftikhar Ahmed for his exceptional all-round performance, amassing 395 runs and taking 18 wickets in 12 games.

Karachi Whites' triumph in the National T20 Cup adds to their successful season, having previously clinched the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and finishing as runners-up in the Pakistan Cup. Their resilience and outstanding performances have positioned them as a dominant force in Pakistani cricket.

Scores in brief

Karachi Whites beat Abbottabad by nine runs

Karachi Whites 155-9, 20 overs (Khurram Manzoor 53, Omair Bin Yousuf 36, Danish Aziz 22; Shahab Khan 4-28, Adil Naz 2-23, Fayyaz Khan 2-34)

ttabad 146-9, 20 overs (Atizaz Habib Khan 43 not out, Fayyaz Khan 23, Fakhar Zaman 19, Ahmed Khan 19; Shahnawaz Dahani 3-16, Danish Aziz 2-18, Anwar Ali 2-26, Aftab Ibrahim 2-30)

Player of the final – Shahnawaz Dahani (Karachi Whites)

Player of the tournament – Iftikhar Ahmed (Peshawar); 395 runs and 18 wickets

Best batter of the National T20 Cup – Sahibzada Farhan (Peshawar); 492 runs

Best bowler of the National T20 Cup – Shahab Khan (Abbottabad); 25 wickets

Best wicket-keeper of the National T20 Cup – Sajjad Ali Jnr (Abbottabad); 442 runs and 10 dismissals