Karachi, In a thrilling final at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi Whites captured their first National T20 Cup title by defeating Abbottabad. The victory on December 10, 2023, was secured with a narrow nine-run margin, showcasing a remarkable performance by the Asad Shafiq-led team.
According to Pakistan Cricket Board, Karachi Whites’ journey to their maiden title was a testament to their resilience and skill. They had previously come close to winning the National T20 Cup back in the 2016-17 season, only to fall short in the final against Karachi Blues. This year, their path to victory involved a strong performance in the Super Eight stage, where they secured five wins out of seven games, placing them second on the table behind Peshawar.
In the semi-final, Karachi Whites overcame Rawalpindi with a four-wicket win, paving the way for their final clash against Abbottabad. The final was a tight contest, with Karachi Whites setting a first-innings score of 155-9. They then successfully restricted Abbottabad to 146-9 in 20 overs, with right-arm pacer Shahnawaz Dahani earning player of the final honors for his 3-16 bowling figures.
Peshawar’s Dominant Run in the Tournament
Peshawar, led by captain Iftikhar Ahmed, had a formidable presence throughout the tournament. Despite their dominant run, they fell to Abbottabad in the semi-final. Iftikhar Ahmed’s all-round effort earned him the player of the tournament award. He notched up 395 runs at a striking rate of 163.90 and an average of 98.75, alongside taking 18 wickets at an average of 15.18.
Top Performances in the National T20 Cup
The tournament featured remarkable batting feats, including four centuries and 86 half-centuries across 63 games. Peshawar’s Sahibzada Farhan led the batting charts with 492 runs, earning him the best batter award. Other centurions included Rawalpindi’s Yasir Khan and Zeeshan Malik, and Lahore Whites’ Mohammad Faiq.
In the bowling department, Abbottabad’s Shahab Khan emerged as the best bowler with 25 wickets in 10 matches. Karachi Whites’ bowlers, Sohail Khan and Arif Yaqoob, were also among the top wicket-takers. Peshawar’s Mohammad Imran recorded the best individual bowling figures in National T20 history with a spell of 6-16 against Rawalpindi.
The National T20 Cup proved to be a showcase of emerging talent and skill, contributing significantly to Pakistan’s rich cricketing heritage.