February 11, 2002	Monday	Ziqa’ad 27, 1422

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LAHORE, Feb 10: A defiant unbeaten 72 by Ibrahim Afridi guided Rest of NWFP to a sensational one-wicket win over  defending champions Lahore Blues in the  Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Grade-I fixture at LCCA Ground Sunday.

Set to score 227 for first their first win, NWFP resumed their second innings on the final day at 132 for six, still requiring another 95 runs.   But Ibrahim Afridi stood firm for 188 minutes to dent Lahore Blues’ hopes of defending their title next month.

NWFP earned full 12 points to raise their tally to 18. On the other hand, the Blues are now left with the formidable task of defeating second-placed Peshawar on the latter’s territory from Tuesday to narrow the lead in Group-II, which is topped by Sheikhupura with 51 points.

The foundation of NWFP’s unexpected triumph was provided by the overnight pair of Ibrahim Afridi (18) and the experienced Sajid Shah (6).

Sajid played with freedom to score 33 off 68 balls with five hits to the fence. The seventh-wicket stand realised a precious 65 in 75 minutes before Sajid became slow left-armer Mohammad Hussain’s 12 victim of an extraordinary match.

Left-arm pacer Sajid Ali removed next man Noorul Amin at the total of 203 and struck again eight runs later when he dismissed Riaz Afridi for three.

However, last man Yasir Shah hung around for 45 minutes until the NWFP finally reached their target, cutting Hussain for one run.

NWFP’ hero was undoubtedly was Ibrahim Afridi who laced his marvellous knock with eight fours and one six while facing  132 balls.

Hussain was extremely unlucky to finish on the losing side. Besides claiming a match haul of 12 for 133 (including six for 73 in 47.5 overs in the second innings), the left-hander scored 126 in the Blues’ second innings.