KARACHI: Sialkot Region defeated Peshawar by one-wicket to claim their third Quaid-e-Azam Trophy title at the UBL Sports Complex on the fourth day of the five-day final.
With this win, Sialkot completed an unbeaten campaign, securing five wins and three draws in their eight matches.
Chasing a target of 173, Sialkot's pursuit appeared daunting at the start of the day, with the team reeling at 59-5 after 15 overs.
However, the skipper Amad Butt played a match-winning knock, anchoring the chase with a composed 65 runs off 94 balls, including nine fours and one six.
His valuable innings, along with Shahzaib Bhatti's steady 32 not out, steered Sialkot to victory in 46.2 overs.
The pivotal partnership came between Amad and Shahzaib, who combined for an essential 48-run stand for the seventh wicket.
Despite the loss of wicket keeper-batter Afzal Manzoor at 69-6, Amad and Shahzaib kept their composure, with the latter hitting the winning boundary.
The match was sealed in the 47th over after Shoaib Akhtar Jnr departed with just one run required.
Niaz Khan led the charge for Peshawar with a stunning 4-wicket haul, while Mohammad Amir Khan picked up three wickets. Israrullah and Sajid Khan claimed one wicket each.
Amad Butt of Sialkot was named Player of the Match for his outstanding all-round performance, taking 4 wickets for 51 runs and 2 wickets for 66 runs, while also contributing with the bat by scoring 10 and 65 runs.
In the tournament awards, Azan Awais of Sialkot was recognised as the Best Batter, amassing an impressive 844 runs in 8 matches.
The Best Bowler award went to Musa Khan of Islamabad, who claimed a remarkable 38 wickets in just 5 matches.
Afzal Manzoor of Sialkot was honoured as the Best Wicket-keeper, with 39 dismissals in 8 matches.
Niaz Khan of Peshawar was named Player of the Tournament for his exceptional bowling performance, taking 39 wickets in 8 matches.
Scores in Brief:
Final – Day 4 of 5 – Sialkot Region beat Peshawar Region by one wicket at UBL Sports Complex, Karachi
Peshawar:
- 1st Innings: 258 all out (80.1 overs)
- 2nd Innings: 159 all out (59.5 overs)
Sialkot:
