Multan Sultans defeated Peshawar Zalmi in the final match to lift the champions trophy in the 9th edition of Sohni Dharti PCL cricket tournament.
The match was played in the same format of the famous Pakistan Super League (PSL) with similar team names of Lahore Qalandars, Karachi Kings, Peshawar Zalmi, Islamabad United, Quetta Gladiators and Multan Sultans.
The final of the three-month long tournament was played between Peshawar Zalmi and Multan Sultans (MS). MS skipper Rao Nadeem Ahmed opted to bowl first after winning the toss and kept the Zalmi team under the check until 10th over. However, Zalmi skipper Rana Iqbal counter charged smashing MS bowlers all around the park and completing his first-ever unbeaten century in the history of PCL off just 29 balls including 16 sixes. The skipper was well supported by Zafar Balouch who played an amazing knock of 47 off just 16 balls to put a mammoth total of 248 in the allotted 20 overs.
MS start was slow in pursuit of a stiff target, but they kept wickets in hand and started acceleration in the later part of the innings. Skipper Rao Nadeem, Aqeel, Mohsin Ali and Junaid Khan laid good platform but the asking rate kept climbing. MS needed 126 runs in just 7 overs at a point before the powerful hitters Jahangir Khan and Chaudhry Shafqat arrived at the crease. The duo started baton charge and announced their arrival by hammering Zalmi bowlers all around the ground. There was one obvious wind factor supporting the batters, but one still needed power and class to finish the job. Zalmis tried the spin option as well, but Jahangir khan showed no mercy and dispatched every delivery out of the ground. MS needed 11 runs in last over. Ch Shafqat finished the match in style by smashing a boundary and a six to complete a wonderful chase of 249 in 19.3 overs. Jahangir Khan’s amazing knock of 70 runs in just 16 balls snatched the victory from the opponent.
The prize distribution ceremony was held at Al Waha Club. Rana Iqbal was adjudged player of the match for his fantastic 100 runs. Jahangir Khan with 70 runs was declared the most colourful inning of the tournament. In other individual categories, the best batsman award was won by Zafar Baloch. The best bowler and best all-rounder award were won by Khurram Shehzad while the best wicket keeper award went to Sajjad Bhatti. Islamabad United team won the best sportsmanship team award. The best emerging player of the tournament award was given to Omer Khayyam of KK.
Three players from each team were given the most dedicated player of the tournament award. Match officials, members of technical committee and the captains were feted with shields and trophies. Syed Nasooh Akhter was awarded a special trophy for being one of the greatest ambassadors of cricket in Al Khor community.
Rao Nadeem of Multan Sultan lifted the adorable winning trophy while the runners-up trophy was given to Zalmi skipper Rana Iqbal.
PIA Country Manager Muhammad Waqas Malik was the chief guest. Chaudhary Mohammad Ajmal, PIA’s Sales Executive Kabir Uddin Siraj, Liaqat Nawaz Mallick and Anwar Ali Rana also graced the occasion.
Sohni Dharti Chairman Shahid Mahmood Bhatti presented a memento to the chief guest and thanked the guests, all teams’ players, captains and participants for making the event a great success.
