Naveed helps Atlas Foundation down Faisal XI to lift MGM Cup

Anjum Naveed fell just two runs short of a century, but his blitzkrieg knock of 98 off 47 balls helped his team Atlas Foundation beat Faisal XI by one wicket in a thrilling final to lift the MGM Cup at the Battaya ground in Sharjah.

It was a thrilling contest after Faisal XI, who won the toss and elected to bat, notched up 230 for the loss of nine wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

If not for Naveed’s final over heroics, the trophy was almost headed the opponent’s way.

Needing 18 to win from six deliveries, Naveed got it all single-handedly. Hitting two sixes and a boundary besides taking two runs off Muhammed Imran’s first delivery in the final over to seal the title for his team with two balls to spare.

Naveed who remained unbeaten cracked eight sixes and six boundaries in all and was later adjudged the Man of the Match.

Opener Malik Qamar Abbas ably assisted Naveed by taking a quick 79 off 31 deliveries before being caught by Muzammil Afridi off Imran’s delivery.

Malik’s fine knock consisted of 11 boundaries and four sixes.

Tariq Mahmood was also exceptional with the willow. Facing 21 deliveries he contributed 31 runs to the tally, hitting 3 sixes in the process.

Earlier opener Sagheer Afridi got the match off to a solid start for Faisal XI. Though his stay at the crease was short-lived, he top-scored for his side with 66 runs. His inning which was cut short by Mukhtar Ahmed was studded with six hits over the ropes and seven boundaries.

Wicketkeeper Junaid Shamsu also showed a lot of promise before being bowled by Adnan Khan. He scored quick-fire 48 off 23, peppered with six sixes and a boundary.

While Afridi also contributed in the bowling division snaring the wicket of Mahmood, it was Faisal (2-16), Waqas Raza (2-40) and Muzamil (2-36) who ruled the roost. Mahmood ( 2 for 17) and Adnan (2 for 36) was the pick of the bowlers for the champions.

Murtaza Raza, the skipper of the wining team while expressing delight on winning the trophy was all praise for his team’s performance.