KARACHI: Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd (SNGPL) retained their crown in the fourth Naya Nazimabad Karachi Kings Ramadan Cup T20 Cricket Tournament after crushing Dollar East by a heavy margin of 105 runs in a lopsided final here on Friday night.

The first half of the title-deciding fixture at the Lawai Cricket Stadium belonged to Asif Ali, who destroyed Dollar East’s aspirations with a breathtaking knock of 68 that incredibly included 10 sixes and not a single four. Asif 21-ball cameo guided SNGPL to a massive 229-7 — easily the highest total of the event.

Dollar East, in reply, were bowled out for 124 in 19.3 overs with biggest hope Umar Akmal (7) proving to be a huge disappointment when the Pakistan discard threw his wicket with a most irresponsible shot selection.

Asif, who smashed slow left-armer Samiullah for five succesive sixes in over, was the chief reason that enabled the champions to score an astonishing 95 runs from the last five overs of their innings after openers Taimur Sultan (54 off 34 balls, four boundaries and three sixes) and Test batsman Asad Shafiq (42 off 25 balls, four fours and one six) provided a solid foundation.

Sindh Governor Mohammad Zubair, who was the chief guest, presented the glittering trophy and Rs1 million to SNGPL captain Mohammad Rizwan while Dollar East skipper Mohammad Sami received Rs500,000.

Arif Habib, Chairman of Arif Habib Group, Samad Arif and other officials were also present on the occasion.

Asif Ali was named man-of-the-final and got Rs 75,000, while Saifullah Bangash (best batsman), Anwar Ali (best bowler) and Rizwan (best wicket-keeper) received prizes of Rs50,000 each.

Pakistan ODI and T20 captain Sarfraz Ahmed was also a distinguished guest at the title.

Summarised scores:

SNGPL 229-7 in 20 overs (Asif Ali 68, Taimur Sultan 52, Asad Shafiq 40, Khurram Shehzad 21, Hussain Talat 19; Mohammad Sami 2-58); DOLLAR EAST 124 in 19.3 overs (Mir Afzal Baig 35, Bilal Shah 19, Mohammad Sami 18, Shahid Yousuf 14, Sadaqat Ali 2-13, Mohammad Imran 2-14, Haider Ali 2-21, Mohammad Abbas 2-23).

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2017