Bilawal shines as SNGPL lift President’s Trophy title

Staff Report

 RAWALPINDI: Bilawal Bhatti’s century and Shahnawaz Dahani’s nine-wicket haul led Sui Northern Gas Pipelines to a massive 519-run win over Pakistan WAPDA in the final of the President’s Trophy at the Pindi Cricket Stadium here on Sunday. The match ended inside the third day of the five-day final as SNGPL bagged a prize money of Rs3 million along with the trophy while WAPDA had to settle with the runners-up trophy and half as much prize money. Resuming their second innings at the overnight score of 121-5 for five in 36 overs, SNGPL declared their innings at 346-8 in 82 overs, courtesy Bilawal`s 101 off 114 as he smashed 14 fours and two sixes and a 91 from Mubasir Khan as the allrounder hit 14 fours and a six. The pair knitted a 108-run partnership for the seventh wicket. For WAPDA, spinner Asif Afridi was the most successful bowler, taking five wickets for 149 runs. In turn, chasing 686 to win, WAPDA were dismissed for 166-9 in 32 overs. Ayaz Tasawar, coming to bat at number six, top scored for his side with a 30-ball 51, smashing seven fours and three sixes. Test batter Umar Akmal, who scored 28 runs in the first innings, didn`t come to bat in the second innings due to illness. Pacer Dahani, who bagged seven wickets in the first innings, managed to get two scalps in the second innings, and ended up with match figures of 9-94. Left-arm pacer Mir Hamza was the most successful bowler in the second innings, grabbing three wickets for 50 runs in nine overs. Dahani and Sahibzada Farhan were declared joint player of the match. KRL`s Abdul Faseeh and Ghani Glass’ Mohammad Rameez Jr were declared joint player of the tournament.

Brief scores:

SNGPL 479-7 and 346-8 declared

Pakistan WAPDS 140 and 166

Sui Northern won by 519 runs.