Shaheen’s seven-for seals Champions Cup title for Pakistan Gold

Staff Report

MULTAN: Shaheen Shah Afridi produced a stunning seven-wicket haul, including a hat-trick, as Pakistan Gold defeated Pakistan Greens by 101 runs to win the National Champions Cup at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. Chasing 341, Greens appeared to be cruising at 143-1 in 20.4 overs before collapsing spectacularly, losing their last nine wickets for just 96 runs. Shaheen finished with 7-36 in 8.3 overs — his best List A figures — to complete his fourth five-wicket haul in the format. His hat-trick was the 19th recorded in List A cricket on Pakistani soil, while his figures were the ninth-best in the format in Pakistan. Greens made a brisk start, reaching 53 before Fakhar Zaman was dismissed by off-spinner Mubasir Khan for 31 off 28 balls. Saad Baig then combined with Omair Bin Yousuf to put Greens in command. The pair added 90 off 88 balls before Razaullah broke the partnership by removing Omair, who made 44 off 50 balls with two fours and two sixes. Faisal Akram then trapped Saad Baig lbw in the 22nd over for a 51-ball 67, which included nine fours and two sixes.

Shaheen took centre stage in the 27th over, removing Farhan Yousuf before dismissing Shadab Khan and Mohammad Suleman off successive deliveries. With Greens reduced to 167-6 in 26.5 overs, Faheem Ashraf and Naseem Shah briefly revived their hopes with a 61-run stand. Shaheen ended that partnership in the 36th over before returning in the 38th to complete his hat-trick. He removed Mehran Mumtaz, Salman Mirza and Mohammad Hasnain with the first three deliveries of the over to end the contest. Faheem remained unbeaten on 38 off 30 balls, while Naseem made 31 off 27. Earlier, Pakistan Gold posted 340 after opting to bat, with centuries from Shamyl Hussain and Saad Khan setting up the imposing total.

Shamyl scored his third List A century, while Saad registered his second as the pair added 137 for the second wicket. Shamyl had earlier shared a 78-run opening stand with Mohammad Akhlaq, who made 31 off 44 balls. The left-handed pair came together in the 17th over and stayed at the crease until the 34th. Shamyl brought up his century in style with consecutive sixes off Hasnain in the 29th over before being dismissed for 111 off 93 balls, with 11 fours and four sixes. Saad followed soon after, making 112 off 102 balls, including 11 fours and four sixes. Abdul Samad added a brisk 25 off 25 balls, while Mubasir contributed 21 off 17 to push Pakistan Gold beyond the 300-run mark. For Greens, Faheem, Shadab and Naseem took two wickets apiece, while Mehran and Hasnain claimed one each.

Brief scores:

PAKISTAN GOLD 340 in 50 overs (Saad Khan 112, Shamyl Hussain 111, Mohammad Akhlaq 31, Abdul Samad 25, Mubasir Khan 21; Faheem Ashraf 2-40, Shadab Khan 2-45, Naseem Shah 2-59); PAKISTAN GREENS 239 in 37.3 overs (Saad Baig 67, Omair Bin Yousuf 44, Faheem Ashraf 38 not out, Naseem Shah 31, Fakhar Zaman 31; Shaheen Shah Afridi 7-36).