July 1, 2003	Tuesday	Rabi-us-Sani 30, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, June 30: National Highway Authority (NHA) toppled defending champions Asif Memorial by 50 runs to win the ICA-PTV League Cricket Championship on Sunday at the Shalimar Ground.

Not even Chaudhry Nasir, who captured an incredible seven wickets for 44 runs, could prevent an NHA victory who put on 255 off their 50 overs while batting first.

NHA were powered by an explosive 70 by Shoaib Nasir and Muhammad Shiraz who cracked 44. Waqas Zafar and Usman Saeed were the other prominent scorers with 39 and 36 runs respectively.

On a wicket where the ball was keeping low, the total appeared difficult to chase. Asif Memorial however still did well and their ambitions were fuelled by Muhammad Shahzad who stroked a half century and a fine 39 by Iftikhar Ali as their side scored 205.

Off-spinner Muhammad Maqsood snared four for 36 while Usman Saeed took three for 24.

Umpires Mian Aslam and Iqbal Butt supervised the final which brought to a successful end the League that featured 133 matches.

The winners of the championship will however have to wait until Tuesday before they are able to lay their hands on the trophy which will be presented to them in a special ceremony.

Summarised scores:

NHA bt Asif Memorial by 50 runs.

NHA 255 in 49.4 overs (Shoaib Nasir 70, Muhammad Shiraz 44, Waqas Zafar 39, Usman Saeed 36; Chaudhry Nasir 7-44 9.4, Raja Rizwan 2-35)

Asif Memorial 205 in 44.2 overs (Muhammad Shahzad 51, Iftikhar Ali 39, Azhar Ayub 37, Raheel Majeed 26, Hammadullah 26; Muhammad Maqsood 4-36, Usman Saeed 3-24).