Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohammad Rizwan’s sublime unbeaten innings took Defending Champions Peshawar to victory over Karachi Blues in the final of the National Twenty-20 at Pindi Stadium yesterday.
Chasing a total of 177 runs, Peshawar scored 178 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in 18.5 overs. Iftikhar hit 57 runs on 40 balls including two 4s and four 6s while Rizwan scored 58 runs on 34 balls smashing eight 4s and a six.
Rafatullah Mohmand also batted well with 43 runs on 23 balls hitting six 4s and two 6s.
Karachi blue’s bowlers seemed helpless but were lucky to get 3 wickets. Anwar Ali, Abdul Ameer and Shahid Afridi grabbed 1 wicket each for 34, 39 and 21 runs, respectively.
Earlier at the start of the final Peshawar won the toss and invited Karachi blues to bat first.
Karachi Blues piled up a total of 177 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 20 overs. Sarfraz Ahmed (47), Khurram Manzoor (41) and Khalid Latif (23) batted well.
For Peshawar, Imran Khan Jr bagged 3 wickets for 26 runs while Imran Khan and Zohaib Khan grabbed 2 and 1 wicket for 35 and 38 runs, respectively.
Summarized score:
Karachi Region (B):
177-8 in 20 overs (Sarfaraz Ahmed 47*, 6x4s, 24 balls, Khurram Manzoor 41, 2x4s, 3x6s, 24 balls, Khalid Latif 23, 4x4s, 17 balls, Asad Shafiq 19, 2x4s, 16 balls, Fawad Alam 19, 1×4, 1×6, 13 balls, Shahid Afridi 15, 1×6, 17 balls, Imran Khan Jr. 3-26, Imran Khan Sr. 2-35, Zohaib Khan 1-38).
Peshawar Region:
 178-3 in 18.5 overs Muhammad Rizwan 58*, 8x4s, 1×6, 34 balls, Iftikhar Ahmed 57*, 2x4s, 4x6s, 40 balls, Riffatullah Mamand 43, 6x4s, 2x6s, 23 balls, Shahid Afridi 1-21, Anwar Ali 1-34). (APP)
