NBP rout SBP to enter Naya Nazimabad Ramadan Cup final

KARACHI, June 04:  National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) routed State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) by seven wickets to enter the final of 5th Naya Nazimabad Ramadan Cup T20 Cricket Tournament on Sunday night.

    Ramiz Raja Jr. slammed his second successive half century and former Test left arm spinner Abdur Rehman captured three main wickets to take NBP in the final for the first time in a lucrative Rs.2.2 million prize event at Lawai Stadium.

       International Ramiz, who scored a 50 in the quarterfinal against Brighto Paints, hoisted three sixes and struck four boundaries in his 35-ball match winning knock of 50.  Opener Ali Asad made a steady 32 in 40 balls with three boundaries.

     Both added 66 runs for the second wicket to set-up an easy win for NBP after opener Ahsan Ali was run out for 12.

Earlier despite solid opening stand of 60 between Sahibzada Farhan and Mukhtar Ahmed, SBP was bowled out for 125 on the penultimate ball of 20 over after Kamran Akmal decided to bat first on a turning track.

     Farhan hammered three fours and a six in his 20-ball 32 and Mukhtar went after making 30 laced with three fours.

           But it was Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal’s dismissal on five ball duck which dented SBP batting. After his departure SBP batting collapse under pressure. Veteran spinner Rehman caused the main damage in their ranks with three wickets for 16 runs his quota of four overs. Off-spinner Bilal Asif claimed two wickets for 17 runs in four overs.

             Member of Pakistan’s Champions Trophy winning team Rumman Raees was chief guest presented the joint man of the match award to Ramiz Raja and Abdur Rehman. Tournament Secretary Imran Haque and member organizing committee Ahmer Rizvi, Muhammad Aakif and other officials were present on the occasion.

Summarized scores:

SBP 125 all out in 19.5 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 32, Mukhtar Ahmed 30,  Musaddiq Ahmed 12,  Israrullah 11, Abdur Rehman 3-16, Bilal Asif 2-17) NBP 126-3 in 18 overs (Ramiz Raja 50, Ali Asad 32,  Naveed Yasin 16 not out, Bilal Asif 11 not out, Daniyal Rajput 1-14, Zulfiqar Babar 1-15)