Friday, April 11, 2008, Rabi-ul-Sani 4,1429    

SNGPL thrash HBL in ABN Amro One-Day final

Karachi—Fiery paceman Imran Ali took five wickets to help Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd (SNGPL) to complete a grand double when they thrashed Habib Bank Ltd (HBL) by seven wickets in the final of ABN AMRO One-Day National Cricket Tournament at National Stadium here on Thursday.

SNGPL which won country’s premier first class event - Quaid-e- Azam Trophy earlier this year by beating the same team, produced another dazzling show to clinch the top one-day title of the country.

Fiery Imran Ali took five wickets for 33 runs in 9.1 overs including a hat-trick as sent to bat first, HBL crashed to 127 all out in 34th over.

Imran was named man of the match for his grand efforts and was rewarded Rs.50,000.

SNGP in response romped home for the loss of three wickets in 34th over. Left handed Azhar Shafique smashed six boundaries in his match winning 52 off 64 balls while captain Muhammad Hafeez contributed an enterprising 44 off 58 deliveries spiced with eight powerful boundaries and one six.

Hafeez and Azhar shared a 77 runs second wicket stand after Ali Waqas went for three.

NSK Ground staff not even went through the trouble of switching on the light towers as day/night affairs ended in day lights as bankers put up a pathetic batting display in absence of their star trio of Younus Khan, Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul.

Khaqan Arsal and Salman Qadir were only two batsmen to reach double figures with 35 each. Khaqan hit four boundaries in his 34 off 55-balls while Salman hit same number of boundaries in his 51-ball knock.

Imran Ali performed the hat-trick by getting rid of Khaqan caught at mid-off by Imran Khalid while Kamran Hussain and Abdul Rehman both caught at first slip for ducks.

SNGPL Skipper Muhammad Hafeez received the winners trophy and cash prize of Rs 500,000 while HBL captain collected runners-up trophy and Rs 250,000.

Special awards of Rs 50,000 were given Azhar Ali (best bowler), Abdul Rehman (best bowler), Farhan Iqbal (best wicket-keeper) and Younus Khan (best fielder).—APP