Final Match held in Rashid Lateef Stadium Korangi
KARACHI: 3RD JUNE 2012:
Skipper Fawad Alam produced an excellent all-round display and paceman Junaid Zia took four wickets as Al-Noor Gymkhana clinched the second edition of Pakistan Champions Cricket League when they comfortably beat Khyber Greens Fata by seven wickets in the final under lights at the RLCA Ground in Korangi on Saturday.
Fawad, the discarded Pakistan all-rounder, scored an unbeaten 54 in 52 balls with three boundaries and Ahmed Iqbal Khan hit 31 in 37 deliveries with a brace of fours and shared a 78-run unbroken third wicket stand to steer Al-Noor Gymkhana to victory amid vociferous cheers
Al-Noor Gymkhana looked in trouble after they lost three wickets for 37 runs in eighth over after Qismat Afridi took wickets of Ijaz Ali Shah (2), Naveed Malik (0). But both Fawad and Ahmed batted solidly and sensibly in front of a sizeable crowd.
Earlier, Khyber Greens were bowled out for 114 in 18.5 overs. Former international Junaid Zia in a fiery spell snapped up four wickets for 27 runs.
Rehan Afridi hit two boundaries in his 32-ball 30 to offer some resistance and Saeed Afridi smashed one six and two fours in his 13-ball cameo of 17.
Federal Minister Dr Farooq Sattar, who was the chief guest at the final, presented the glittering trophy and cash purse of Rs2 million to Fawad Alam, while Khyber Greens captain Taimur Khan Afridi received the runners-up trophy and Rs1 million.
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif, Sindh Ministers Raza Haroon, Mohammad Afzal, chief organiser Asif Hasnain, parliamentarian Iqbal Mohammad Ali, KCCA president Syed Sirajul Islam Bukhari, secretary Prof Ejaz Faruqi and other officials were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Farooq Sattar complimented Rashid, Asif Hasnain and other managers of the event for their role in the success of this event.
Fawad was declared the player of the tournament for scoring 296 runs and taking 11 wickets. Saeed Afridi with a tally of 380 runs was named the best batsman, Tariq Khan with 19 wickets was adjudged the best bowler, Rehan Afridi, who claimed 19 victims, got the best wicket-keeper award and Ashraf Ali with seven catches best fielder.
Summarised scores: Khyber Greens 114 in 18.5 overs (Rehan Afridi 30, Saeed Afridi 17; Junaid Zia 4-27, Jalat Khan 2-20, Fawad Alam 2-22); Al-Noor Gymkhana 115-3 in 19.1 overs (Fawad Alam 54 not out, Ahmed Iqbal Khan 31 not out; Qismat Khan Afridi 2-14)
