In a tournament replete with close finishes, the final of the National T20 Cup was a damp squib. Lahore Blues sealed a comfortable victory against Lahore Whites, winning by seven wickets with nearly three overs to spare. Set 128 to win, Lahore Blues, who had registered the highest score of the tournament on Wednesday – 221 against FATA – were never in any danger of falling short. Opener Imam-ul-Haq led the chase, scoring an unbeaten 59, including seven fours and a six.
Salman Butt’s Whites had earlier struggled with the bat. Though Butt batted through the innings, his knock never took on any momentum, and the strike-rate was well below what was required to put on a total his bowlers could be confident of defending. His 62 came off 59 deliveries, and with none of the big hitters in his side able to get in, the 127 they managed was always going to be too little. It didn’t help that the Blues’ bowlers expertly hit their lines and lengths, only one of them conceding more than 6.50 runs per over. Atif Jabbarwas the pick of the bunch, taking 2 for 24 in four overs.
This is the second year that National T20 Cup final has featured two sides from the same city. Last year, Karachi Blues and Karachi Whites squared off for the trophy, with the Blues coming out on top.