LAHORE: Shahzaib Khan’s all-round excellence drove defending champions Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Whites to a five-wicket romp past Central Punjab Blues that helped them retain the National Under-19 Cup title at the Rana Naveed Cricket Academy in Sheikhupura on Friday.

Shahzaib hit eight fours in a 95-ball 73 as KP Whites chased the target of 215 in the 47th over for the loss of five wickets. Earlier, he took three catches as CP Blues were restricted to 214-8 despite Azan Awais striking exactly 100 runs from 125 deliveries. KP Whites captain Abbas Ali, later named player of the tournament, was the pick of the bowlers with 2-34.

Brief scores:

CENTRAL PUNJAB U19 BLUES 214-8 in 50 overs (Azan Awais 100, Obaid Shahid 31; Abbas Ali 3-34, Jawad Ali 2-46); KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA U19 WHITES 216-5 in 46.5 overs (Shahzaib Khan 73, Sherdil Khan 44 not out; Mohammad Zeeshan 2-38, Mohammad Maooz 2-39).

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2022