SNGPL face WAPDA challenge in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Final

In the group 1 at super eight stage, Sui Northern Gas Pipeline limited (SNGPL) remained first with 21 points. SNGPL played 3 matches in super 8 stage and won 2 while draw 1 match. WAPDA with 16 points secured first position in Super 8 group B. WAPDA won 2 matches and lost 1 match.

SNGPL in its last match of group 1 defeated Lahore Blues by 6 wickets. SNGPL won the toss and put Lahore Blues to bat. In the 1st innings Lahore Blues were bowled out on just 89 runs. Raza Ali Dar with 37 unbeaten runs remains the top score. Haris Nazar scored 15 and Tayyab Tahir 13 runs. 8 blues did not enter in the double figures and 4 were unable to open their account and were out on 0. Azizullah from SNPGL took 5 wicket for just 19 runs in 9.2 overs while Samiullah Khan and Muhammad Abbas picked 2 wickets each.

In reply to the 1st innings score of Lahore Blues, SNGPL also bowled out on just 92 runs. Mohammad Rizwan 23, Iftikhar Ahmed 18 and Azhar Ali 15 were top scorers for SNGPL. Aizaz Cheema took 5 wickets while Bilawal Iqbal grabbed 3 and Ali Mustafa took 2 wickets for Lahore Blues. With a deficit of 3 runs Lahore Blues started their second innings and once again failed to score a big total and bowled out on just 70 runs. Muhammad Waqas Saleem with 18 runs was top scorer. Mohammad Abbas picked up 6 wickets while Samiullah and Azizullah got 2 wickets each. SNGPL got a target of 68 runs which they achieved for the loss of 4 wickets. Azhar Ali scored 26 runs. Aizaz Cheema picked all the 4 wickets of SNGPL.

In another match of group 2 of super 8 stage, although Sui Southern Gas Corporation overpowered WAPDA in the last match but still WAPDA qualifies for the final. WAPDA after winning the toss elected to bat first and put a total of 232 runs on the board. Khalid Usman 78 and Khusdil Shah 54 were top scorers. Mohammad Irfa (jr) and Kashif Bhatti picked up 3 wickets each while Adnan Ghaus got 2 and Umar Amin & Azhar Attari got 1 apiece from SSGC. In reply, SSGC were bowled out on just 160 runs in their 1st innings. Sami Aslam 28 and Kasif Bhatti 22 were top scorers. Mohammad Asif grabbed 5 wickets while Waqas Maqsood picked 3 and Khalid Usman got 1 from WAPDA.

In the second innings, WAPDA only managed to score 229 runs. Khushdil Shah top scorer from WAPDA with 54 runs and Zahid Zahoor added 36 runs. Salman Butt was retired due to injury on 29 runs and Mohammad Asif did not bat .Kashif Bhatti picked 4 wickets from SSGC while Irfan (jr) got 3 and Azhar Attari grabbed 1 wicket. SSGC got a target of 301 runs to win the match and they achieved the target for the loss of just 3 wicket. Sami Aslam scored a brilliant century and remained unbeaten on 133 runs while Zain Abbas contributed 66 runs. Fawad Alam scored 69 not out runs Mansoor Amjad and Khalid Usman got 1 wicket each from WAPDA.

Final of the Quaid-e-Azam trophy is schedule to start tomorrow between WAPDA and SNGPL. The winners of the event will earn Rs. 2,500,000 and runner-up will get Rs. 1,500,000 while man of the final, best batsman, best bowler and outstanding player/all-rounder will receive Rs. 100,000 each.