Peshawar emerged triumphant in Pakistan Cup 2023-24 final by securing a five-wicket win against Karachi Whites at Pindi Cricket Stadium.
Nabi Gul sealed the victory for Peshawar, led by Sahibzada Farhan, earning them the coveted title and a substantial cash prize of PKR 5 million.
This marked Peshawar’s third one-day cup triumph, the previous one dating back to the 2016-17 season when they defeated Karachi Whites by 124 runs in the final at National Bank Stadium.
Opting to bat first on a bowler-friendly pitch, Karachi Whites faced early setbacks with Habibullah departing in the eighth over to left-arm pacer Mohammad Imran.
Saim Ayub, who shone in the semifinals with a score of 95, fell victim to Imran as well. The top five batters struggled, and Karachi Whites could only muster 103 runs in 31.2 overs. Imran claimed four wickets for 28 runs, while Mohammad Abbas Afridi contributed with three wickets.
In pursuit of the modest target, Peshawar encountered minimal challenges, reaching 108-5 in 17.2 overs. Mohammad Haris led the charge with a brisk 46 off 33 balls.
Sahibzada’s dismissal was an unusual hit-wicket incident caused by his own bat. Noman Ali took two wickets, while Danish Aziz and Saim claimed one each for Karachi Whites.
Haseebullah from Multan secured the Player of the Tournament and Best Wicket-Keeper awards for his impressive tally of 326 runs and 10 dismissals. Saim Ayub claimed the Best Batter title with 397 runs in eight innings.
The Best Bowler award was shared by Zahid Mehmood (Multan Region) and Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Peshawar Region), both with 15 wickets each. Mohammad Imran was named the Player of the Final for his impactful figures of 4-28.
Summary:
Peshawar secured their third one-day cup title, defeating Karachi Whites in the Pakistan Cup 2023-24 final. Key performances included Mohammad Imran’s four-wicket haul and Mohammad Haris’ brisk 46 runs.
Haseebullah, Saim Ayub, Zahid Mehmood, and Mohammad Abbas Afridi were also honored for their outstanding contributions in the tournament.
