Misbah-ul-Haq's SNGPL successfully defend Quaid-e-Azam Trohpy title against the UBL

Misbah-ul-Haq’s Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has successfully defended its Quaid-e-Azam Trophy title against Younis Khan’s United Bank Limited (UBL). Dual fifties from the captain Misbah-ul-Haq and career best figures from Bilawal Bhatti ensured that SNGPL win their third Quaid-e-Azam Trophy title by six wickets.

UBL won the toss in the pink-ball final and decided to bat first. Openers Sharjeel Khan and Shan Masood provided a spirited start of 73 runs but the middle order and the lower order couldn’t carry on the good start and bundled out for 208. Sharjeel Khan was the top scorer with 73 runs while Bilawal Bhatti and Mohammad Hafeez took three wickets each. SNGPL didn’t get their desired start and were four down for 57. Misbah-ul-Haq, well supported by Umar Akmal, was once again the rescuer for his team and top-scored with 85 runs. SNGPL were in lead by 20 runs after first innings. Ehsan Adil dismissed four batsmen.

UBL’s top order was all out of sorts in their second innings as they lost their top 4 without even going in lead. Younis Khan and Hammad Azam then partnered to put on the match-best partnership of 141 runs to show something on the score board. No one but them could show some bat to Bilawal Bhatti who recorded a career-best 8/56 and UBL were all out for 189 setting a target of 160 for SNGPL.

SNGPL chase was halted by consistent blows from UBL but Azhar Ali and once again Misbah-ul-Haq scored fifties each and a century partnership to see their team home. Misbah-ul-Haq hit the winning runs and secured his 3^rd Quaid-e-Azam trophy in as many attempts.

Bilawal Bhatti was named ‘Man of the Final’ for his 11 wickets.

Here are some stats from the final and the tournament itself:

• Bilawal Bhatti’s 8/56 is the ‘Best Bowling Figures’ ever recorded in a first-class tournament/trophy final in Pakistan. Previous: Ehtasham-ud-din 8/69 for NBP vs MCB at Karachi in 1979
• SNGPL has won its 3^rd Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in as many attempts. Karachi teams have won it a record 20 times.
• United Bank has now lost the trophy on seven out of 10 equations as runner-ups. The last time they won the trophy was in 1984/85.
• SNGPL has become only the second team after Karachi teams to successfully defend its Quaid-e-Azam Trophy title. From 1958 to 1966, Karachi teams successfully defended the title six consecutive times.
• SNGPL has won its 4^th consecutive first-class trophy starting from 2012. They first won President’s Trophy in 2012 and then again in 2013. In 2014, they won Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and have now successfully defended the 2015 edition.
• Best Batsman Award: Asif Zakir (SSGC) 791 runs (3 x 100, 4 x 50)
• Best Bowler Award: Mohammad Abbass (KRL) 61 wickets (6 x 5w, 1 x 10w)
• Best Wicket–Keeper Award: Kamran Akmal (NBP) 35 dismissals (31 x catches, 4 x stumpings)