In the final of the tournament played at the State Bank Sports Complex Karachi, Central Punjab won the title by defeating the defending champions Balochistan by 50 runs thanks to Ali Shafiq’s devastating bowling, Tayyab Tahir and Ahmed Shahzad’s half-centuries.
Chasing 255 runs, the entire team of Balochistan collapsed on 204 runs. Ali Shafiq turned the tide of the match by guiding three important players to the pavilion for 17 runs in seven overs. Muhammad Ali and Zafar Gohar also took two wickets each.
Only five players from Balochistan could enter double figures. Bismillah Khan scored 70 runs and Imran Butt scored 30 runs.
Central Punjab won the toss and batted first and scored 254 runs in 48.2 overs. After losing the first two wickets for just 65 runs, Central Punjab’s in-form batsman Tayyab Tahir along with opener Ahmed Shahzad took over the team by forming a partnership of 80 runs. Tayyab Tahir played an innings of 71 runs thanks to five fours and two sixes. Ahmed Shehzad was dismissed after scoring 61 runs. His innings included three fours and a six. Aamir Yameen scored 34 runs and Zafar Gohar scored 30 runs. Balochistan spinner Mohammad Junaid guided five players to the pavilion for 56 runs.
Central Punjab batsman Tayyab Tahir was awarded Player of the Final and Best Batsman of the Tournament. He scored 573 runs in 12 innings of the tournament. Central Punjab’s Osama Mir was named Bowler of the Tournament for taking 28 wickets. Imad Butt was adjudged Player of the Tournament for scoring 365 runs and 19 wickets. Balochistan’s wicketkeeper Haseebullah was adjudged the best wicketkeeper of the tournament for scoring 551 runs and 10 catches behind the wickets.
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