KARACHI: Bilal Khilji’s fine unbeaten century allowed Amar Cables to be crowned as the Northern Region champions of the 17th National Seniors Cup Cricket Tournament 2015 as they overcame Askari Greens by one wicket in a nail-biting final at the LCCA Ground in Lahore.

Amar Cables will now be taking on Karachi Gold Bridge Media, the Southern region champions, in the National Seniors Cup Final, scheduled to be held at the Naya Nazimabad Cricket Ground, Karachi on Sunday. The match will be telecast live.

Batting first, after winning the toss, Askari Greens posted a total of 170 for nine in the allotted 30 overs. They were in danger of being bowled out for a low after their top half was blown away with 89 runs on the board. Their hopes were revived by Raza Butt, who struck four boundaries in his 41 off 33 balls, and Maqsood Aslam, who smashed one six and two fours in his 38 off 51 balls, which boosted the total to a fighting 170.

Amar Cables made heavy weather of the target but Bilal Khilji fought a lone battle to steer his side to victory in the last over. After Amar Cables lost a couple of early wickets.

The 78-run third wicket partnership between Bilal Khilji and Jamshed Ali put them in front but a middle-order collapse opened up the game.Coming in to bat at number three in the opening over, Man of the Match, Bilal Khilji returned unconquered on 103 off 90 balls, hitting one six and 11 fours.

A record number of 109 teams from all over the country entered the annual tournament, being organised by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), and sponsored by IMI Omar (Pvt) Ltd and Arif Habib Group.

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2016