KARACHI: The second edition of the Peace Cup T20 Night Cricket Tournament at the Naya Nazimabad Lawai Cricket Stadium couldn’t have hoped for a befitting conclusion when Omar CC held their nerves to pip Advance Telecom to the title in the wee hours of Monday.

In an electrifying high-calibre final, which neither side really deserved to lose, Omar CC retained the title they won last year by just two runs after a spirited attempt by Advance Telecom chase down a challenging target of 174 in front a vociferous turnout on the night.

Four players — two from each team — stole the show with Pakistan discard Mohammad Sami being adjudged man-of-the-match for a superlative all-round performance.

Rameez Raja, the hard-hitting opening batsman who is bidding to regain his place in the national team after T20 Internationals on the Zimbabwe tour in 2011, was once again in great nick as he caned the Advance Telecom bowlers to all parts of the ground to score a magnificent 80 from only 44 deliveries. He peppered the leg-side field with no less than seven sixes, some of them comfortably clearing the playing arena, while also striking eight boundaries.

Sami then took over to ensure Omar CC managed a competitive total of 173-7 by lifting three huge sixes and a brace of boundaries in his unbeaten 59 off 34 balls.

Sohail Khan, another paceman who is out of the national side, bowled with hostility to take two wickets for 38 runs. Faizan Riaz, who is known for his batting, took 2-23 with his mixed bag of leg-spinners.

The Advance Telecom’s reply was almost a replica of the first innings with only two batsmen taking up the challenge despite wickets tumbling at regular intervals. Asif Ali, the right-hander from Faisalabad, threatened to turn the tilt the balance in favour of his team but after completing a breathtaking half-century he was needlessly bowled by Fawad Khan the slow left-armer extracted sweet revenge for being lifted for a massive six on the previous ball.

Asif’s 55 off mere 26 balls contained five sixes and four fours. It was then left to Babar Hussain Agha to keep Advance Telecom in contention but lack of partners meant he was left high and dry.

Nevertheless Babar, son of former first-class cricketer and ex-PCB match referee Munawwar Hussain Agha, showed his emerging talent with an unconquered 59 off 47 balls with the aid of six boundaries and a brace of sixes.

Sami, in his customary role, made the difference with an excellent return of 2-17 in four testing overs on a pitch that had good carry and pace. He was the undisputed choice as the man-of-the-match.

Off-spinner Misbah Khan took 2-28 and also bowled the crucial last over which began with Advance Telecom needing eight runs.

Fawad Khan (best bowler), Rameez (best batsman) and Omar CC skipper Javed Mansoor (best wicket-keeper) won other individual prizes. Saud Shakeel, who appeared at the ICC Under-19 World Cup in the UAE earlier this year, was declared man-of-the-tournament.

Omar CC received Rs400,000 for their grand feat in a ceremony which was graced by Adil Siddiqui, advisor to Sindh Chief Minister, as the chief guest. Advance Telecom skipper Rehan Sheikh collected Rs200,000 and the runners-up trophy.

Proud owner of the champion team, Nadeem Omar, overwhelmed by the second triumph his charges attained within the space of eight hours after having retained their Karachi Gymkhana Ramazan Cricket Festival

Riazuddin, the renowned Pakistan international umpire who once served on the ICC elite panel, was honoured with a special gold crown for his meritorious services to cricket over the years.

Summarised scores:

OMAR CC 173-7 in 20 overs (Rameez Raja 80, Mohammad Sami 59 not out, Mohammad Waqas 16; Faizan Riaz 2-23. Sohail Khan 2-38); ADVANCE TELECOM 171-8 in 20 overs (Babar Hussain Agha 65 not out, Asif Ali 55, Jamal Anwar 16; Mohammad Sami 2-19, Misbah Khan 2-28).

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2014