Three-wicket hauls from spinners Naqeebullah and Ibtisam Azhar powered Lahore Blues to a seven-wicket victory over Rawalpindi in the final of the National U19 Cup at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
The match — live-streamed on Tapmad across Pakistan and on PCB’s YouTube channel for international viewers — saw Rawalpindi electing to bat first after winning the toss. Their innings folded for 142 in 44.1 overs, with Ali Mehdi top-scoring with 36. For Lahore Blues, left-arm spinner Naqeebullah (3-16) and off-spinner Ibtisam Azhar (3-25) shared six wickets between them.
In reply, Lahore Blues chased down the target comfortably in 39.4 overs, losing just three wickets. Jahangir Bilal guided the side home with an unbeaten 56 off 97 balls, featuring seven boundaries, while Khizer Butt added 46.
Captain Ali Hassan Baloch — who had an outstanding tournament with 603 runs in eight matches at an average of 75.38, including three centuries and two fifties — was named Player of the Tournament and Best Batter. Faisalabad’s Momin Qamar claimed the Best Bowler award for his 22 wickets, including two five-fors, while Ibtisam Azhar finished the event with 20 wickets in eight matches.
Scores in brief:
Lahore Blues beat Rawalpindi by seven wickets
Rawalpindi 142 all out, 44.1 overs (Ali Mehdi 36; Naqeebullah 3-16, Ibtisam Azhar 3-25)
Lahore Blues 143-3, 39.4 overs (Jahangir Bilal 56, Khizer Butt 46)*
Player of the Match: Naqeebullah (Lahore Blues)
Player of the Tournament: Ali Hassan Baloch (Lahore Blues)
Leave a Reply