KARACHI, Oct 6: Karachi Blues clinched the National Under-19 Grade-I one-day cricket tournament when they upset favourites Karachi Whites by three wickets in an exciting final at National Stadium Saturday.

Asked to bat first after Wajid Ali won the toss, Karachi Whites were bowled out for 215 in 49.1 overs.

Karachi Blues, in reply, reached the target with two balls to spare, scoring 216 for seven.

All-rounder Faraz Patel played main role in his team’s victory. After taking two for 37 with his off-spinners, Faraz made a fighting 44 off 84 deliveries with two fours to win the Man-of the-Match award worth Rs 5,000.

Karachi Blues’ victory was made possible through a 104-run third wicket stand between Mubashir Ahmed and Faraz Patel.

Mubashir slammed an enterprising 57 off 88 balls with eight boundaries.

The Blues, at one stage, were 187 for seven, but Naeem Ahmed (17 off 21 balls) and Mujtaba Amin (16 off nine balls) saw them home without further loss.

Earlier, Whites’ prolific left-hander Atif Ali Zaidi held his team’s innings together with a steady 79 off 111 balls laced with four fours and a six.

Atif added 71 for the third wicket with Faraz Ahmed Sr after Karachi Whites lost Ariz Kamal for four and Khalid Latif for one with 15 on the booard.

Former Test slow left-armer and vice-chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board Management Committee, Iqbal Qasim, was the chief guest and presented the glittering trophy to Karachi Blues skipper Wajid Ali along with the winners’ cheque of Rs 20,000.

Karachi Whites captain Khalid Latif received the runners-up trophy and Rs 10,000.

Saqib Zia, the Karachi Blues opener, who scored 333 runs in seven matches was declared the best batsman. Tabish Khan, the Karachi Blues pacer, who grabbed 16 wickets was named best bowler while Wajid Ali got the best fielder award.

Amin-ur-Rehman of Karachi Whites, Hamid Ali of Bahawalpur Lahore Whites’ Zulfiqar Haider were jointly adjudged the best wicket-keeper.