SNGPL annex President's Trophy 2023-24 with big win over WAPDA

 SNGPL annex President's Trophy 2023-24 with big win over WAPDA

By our correspondent

Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) secured a resounding victory, defeating Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) by 519 runs in the final of the President’s Trophy Grade-I at Rawalpindi's Pindi Cricket Stadium.

The match concluded on the third day of the scheduled five-day final. SNGPL not only claimed the prestigious trophy but also earned a prize of PKR three million, while WAPDA had to settle for the runners-up position with a prize of PKR 1.5 million.

In the second innings, SNGPL, resuming at 121/5, declared at 346/8 in 82 overs. Bilawal Bhatti's century (101 runs off 114 balls, including 14 fours and 2 sixes) and Mubasir Khan's 91, featuring 14 fours and a six, played pivotal roles. Their partnership of 108 runs for the seventh wicket proved crucial. Asif Afridi was WAPDA's most successful bowler, claiming five wickets for 149 runs.

Chasing a target of 686, WAPDA struggled and was bowled out for 166/9 in 32 overs. Ayaz Tasawar's aggressive knock of 51 off 30 balls, including seven fours and three sixes, was the only noteworthy contribution. Shahnawaz Dahani, who took seven wickets in the first innings, added two more in the second, finishing with match figures of 9 wickets for 94 runs. Mir Hamza also shone with the ball, securing three wickets for 50 runs.

SNGPL's Dahani and Sahibzada Farhan shared the player of the match honors, while Abdul Faseeh (KRL) and Mohammad Rameez Jnr (Ghani Glass) were declared joint players of the tournament.

Scores in brief:

SNGPL beat WAPDA by 519 runs

SNGPL 479-7, 80 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 161, Saud Shakeel 123 not out, Kamran Ghulam 101, Mubasir Khan 44; Tahir Hussain 2-78, Iftikhar Ahmed 2-105) and 346-8 decl, 82 overs (Bilawal Bhatti 101, Mubasir Khan 91, Abid Ali 38, Saud Shakeel 34, Kamran Ghulam 28; Asif Afridi 5-149, Ali Shafique 2-53)

WAPDA 140 all out, 34.4 overs (Iftikhar Ahmed 52, Umar Akmal 28; Shahnawaz Dahani 7-42, Mir Hamza 2-30) and 166-9, 32 overs (Ayaz Tasawar 51, Umar Abid Kayani 40; Mir Hamza 3-50, Bilawal Bhatti 2-29, Shahnawaz Dahani 2-52)

Player of the match – Shahnawaz Dahani and Sahibzada Farhan (SNGPL) PKR 100,000

Player of the tournament – Abdul Faseeh (KRL, 637 runs from six matches, 3x100s, 1x50) and Mohammad Rameez Jnr (Ghani Glass, 42 wickets from five matches, five five-wicket hauls) PKR 100,000

Best batter of the tournament – Abdul Faseeh (KRL) PKR 100,000

Best bowler of the tournament – Mohammad Rameez Jnr (Ghani Glass) PKR 100,000

Best wicket-keeper of the tournament – Shahbaz Javed (Ghani Glass, 26 dismissals) PKR 100,000