KARACHI: In a low-scoring final of the sixth Cola Next presents Jazz Corporate Cup here on Friday night, K-Electric brilliantly defended a well below-par total of 102 to edge Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) by just two runs at the DHA Sports Club Moin Khan Academy.

Batting first on a turning track, K-Electric batsmen just couldn’t break the shackles against tidy bowling as they lost eight wickets to give SSGC decisive advantage at the mid-innings break.

Usman Khan was the top-scorer with a 21-ball 24 that featured two sixes and one four, while young Hassaan Khan remained unbeaten with 20 off 14 deliveries (one six and one four).

Sajjad Hashmi (13) and Khushdil Shah (140 were only other batsmen to reach double figures as the spinning trio of Zafar Gohar, Adil Amin and Usama Mir grabbed two wickets each.

SSGC looked on target when their third wicket fell at 56 but K-Electric — who lost to Omar Associates in last year’s final — pegged back to 100-8 after the mandatory 20 overs finished. Saifullah Khan Bangash hit four boundaries in scoring 24 from 25 balls. Awais Zia hit 13 and Mohammad Waqas made 11.

Left-arm fast bowler Ghulam Mudassar bowled a telling spell to claim three wickets for 28 runs in four overs — a performance which earned him the man-of-the-match prize.

Ammad Butt and Khushdil shared four wickets between them.

In a glittering presentation ceremony, Brig Shahid Hassan Ali, administrator DHA Karachi, graced the occasion as the chief guest with triumphant Pakistan ICC Champions Trophy captain Sarfraz Ahmed a notable invitee at the final.

A jubilant K-Electric skipper Faraz Ahmed Khan collected the winners’ trophy plus Rs800,000 while SSGC skipper Umar Amin received the runners-up trophy and Rs500,000.

Khushdil Shah was declared player-of-the-tournament and was presented with Rs50,000 along with a five-day Umrah package.

The ceremony was also attended by tournament committee chairman Moin Khan, tournament director Nadeem Khan and representatives of the sponsors.

Summarised scores:

K-ELECTRIC 102-8 in 20 overs (Usman Khan 24, Hassaan Khan 20 not out; Adil Amin 2-15, Zafar Gohar 2-16, Usama Mir 2-20); SSGC 100-8 in 20 overs (Adil Amin 33, Saifullah Khan Bangash 24; Ghulam Mudassar 3-28, Khushdil Shah 2-2, Ammad Butt 2-12).

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2017