Karachi
Defending champions Multan lifted the Pepsi National PD T20 Grade One Cricket Championship for the eighth time after defeating Rawalpindi by three wickets in a thrilling final. The championship, organized under the Pakistan Physical Disability Cricket Association (PPDCA), concluded at the Rashid Latif Cricket Ground, Gulberg, where Karachi secured third position in the tournament.
The final and prize distribution ceremony was graced by former Test cricketer Tauseef Ahmed as the chief guest. He distributed trophies and awards along with PPDCA President Imran Bilwani and PPDCA Secretary General and Event Director Ameeruddin Ansari.
Several notable personalities, including Haji Ashraf, Wasim Machhiara, former SSP Sindh Police Javed Malik, Multan Regional Head Jameel Kamran, Zafar Ahmed, Islam Khan, Talal Ahmed, Amjad Rizvi, Saif Khan and others, were also present on the occasion.
Winning the toss, Rawalpindi elected to bat first and posted 155 runs in the allotted 20 overs. Mohammad Arsalan played a brilliant knock of 60 runs off 40 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes, while Huzayfa Khan scored 35 and Mohammad Ikrama added 22 runs. For Multan, Zubair Saleem 23, Asif Khichi 29 and Mohammad Irfan 35 each claimed two wickets.
In reply, Multan chased down the target in a nail-biting finish, reaching the required total on the last ball of the match with the loss of seven wickets. Mohammad Zaman Ali played a match-winning innings of 60 runs off 44 balls, smashing four fours and four sixes. Matloob Qureshi contributed 25 runs, Jehanzaib Tuwana scored 17, while Mohammad Shehzad added 16 runs. Bilal Azeem was the standout bowler for Rawalpindi, taking three wickets for 24 runs.
At the conclusion of the championship, Majid Hussain was named the Player of the Tournament. Multan’s Mohammad Zaman Ali was adjudged the Best Batter, Best Fielder and Player of the Final, while Quetta’s Mithal Khan was awarded Best Bowler and received a special cash prize.
