March 5, 2002	Tuesday	Zilhaj 20, 1422

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KARACHI, March 4: An unbeaten century by opener Ghulam Ali helped Karachi Whites end their eight-year title drought in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy National Grade-I cricketcChampionship with an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Peshawar at National Stadium Monday.

Far from expectations of a tense finish at the start of the penultimate day of the five-day final, Karachi Whites cruised to their fourth crown — first since they completed a hat trick of titles in 1992-93 — 24 minutes before the tea break by reaching 254 for two.

Whites, runners-up six times in the past eight seasons, made up for their disappointment in last year’s thrilling final at the same venue when Lahore Blues defeated them by one wicket.

Moin Khan, the Whites captain, collected the coveted trophy and the winners’ prize of Rs 100,000 on behalf of his elated team-mates from former Test batsman Waqar Hasan, who was the chief guest on the occasion. His Peshawar counterpart, Arshad Khan had to be content with the runners-up trophy and a cash award of Rs 50,000.

Ghulam, the ex-international 35-year-old right-hander, led the way with an unbeaten 113 — his 19th first-class hundred — off 195 deliveries to guide his side home in the match-winning 148-run partnership in 139 minutes with young Saeed bin Nasir.

Appropriately, Ghulam stroked the winning runs with a lovely cover-driven boundary off occasional spinner Wajahatullah Wasti.

Saeed finished with 66 not out with the aid of eight fours while facing 120 balls. His senior partner, Ghulam struck 14 fours and twice lifted off-spinner Arshad Khan for huge sixes during his 292-minute innings.

Nightwatchman Tanvir Ahmed also played his role to perfection after the Whites had resumed at the overnight score of 38 for one. The tail-ender hung around for more than an hour-and-a-half to lash eight boundaries while contributing 44 off 65 balls. The second wicket stand between Ghulam Ali and Tanvir realized 78.

Peshawar put up a disappointing show on the field Monday. A far cry from the scene in 1998-99 when the visitors won their solitary championship by innings over Karachi Blues.

Their much feared pace trio of Kabir Khan, Fazle Akbar and Waqar Ahmed appeared well below par. Arshad, a man with decent Test experience behind him, under-bowled himself on a fourth day pitch.

On the other hand, Moin, the former Test captain, marshalled his troops well since the squad included many young and promising players who needed guidance and inspiration.

At the conclusion of the two-month championship, individual cash awards of Rs 10,000 each were also announced. Mohammad Ramzan of Faisalabad, Tahir Mughal of Sialkot, Humayun Farhat of Lahore Blues and Balochistan’s Mohtashim Ali were declared the best batsman, best bowler, best wicket-keeper and best fielder respectively.

Karachi, overall, have now clinched the premier domestic competition on 17 occasions while finishing runners-up 10 times. The city won their first title way back in 1954-55 and their last before Monday five seasons back when Karachi Blues claimed the championship here on first innings lead against Peshawar.