Abbottabad crowned an impressive National T20 Cup campaign by defeating Karachi Whites by nine wickets in the final at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The dominant victory secured Abbottabad’s first major domestic title of the season and highlighted their all round strength throughout the tournament.
The final was originally scheduled to take place at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium in Peshawar but was postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions and a waterlogged outfield. After being rescheduled and relocated, the much anticipated clash finally took place in Lahore, where Abbottabad delivered a clinical performance.
Chasing a modest target of 119 runs, Abbottabad made light work of the total and reached the target in just 13.5 overs. Opening batter Shahzaib Khan starred with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 54 runs from 41 deliveries. His innings included three boundaries and four sixes, helping his side maintain complete control of the chase.
After the early dismissal of Afaq Khan for 13 runs, Shahzaib found excellent support from experienced batter Kamran Ghulam, who remained unbeaten on 45 from just 26 balls. The pair guided Abbottabad comfortably to victory with aggressive yet controlled batting.
Earlier, Abbottabad’s bowling attack laid the foundation for the win by restricting Karachi Whites to only 118 runs in 18.3 overs. The Karachi batting lineup struggled to build partnerships and lost wickets at regular intervals. Captain Saud Shakeel managed 17 runs, while tail ender Saqib Khan top scored with 22 runs in an otherwise disappointing batting display.
Abbottabad’s bowlers maintained pressure throughout the innings, with Arshad Iqbal, Shadab Khan, Razaullah, and Shahab Khan all making valuable contributions. Their disciplined bowling prevented Karachi Whites from gaining momentum and ensured a manageable target.
The convincing win capped off a memorable campaign for Abbottabad and showcased the team’s depth, balance, and championship winning mentality.
