Opener Danish Babar hammered a cracking unbeaten 54 runs including three towering sixes steering Peshawar Press Club (PPC) Tigers to 43 runs victory against Qalander in the final of the RMI Media Cricket League played here at Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Governor KP Engr. Iqbal Zafar Jhagra was the chief guest on this occasion. CEO Rehman Medical Institute (RMI) Dr Shafiqur Rehman, Director Mumtaz Khan Khalil, President Peshawar Press Club Alamgir Khan, Secretary Shahab Ud Din, Chairman Sports Committee Ihtisham Bashir, Coordinators Imran Yousafzai and Abid Khan, Director Sports FATA Muhammad Nawaz Khan, senior journalists, players, and large number of families of the journalists were also present and witnessed the thrilling final.
Governor KP Engr. Iqbal Zafar Jhagra also witnessed the thrill-packed final with a stunning batting from opener Danish Babar who made an unbeaten 54 runs including four towering sixes and a boundary. There was another superb batting by Mehmood-ur-Rehman for PPC Qalander who struck 65 runs including eight towering sixes and a boundary.
There was great enthusiasm witnessed among the sitting spectators supporting respective teams Tigers and Qalander in the grand finals. Tigers skipper Tariq Afaq won the toss and decided to bat first by scoring 178 runs in the allotted 14 overs match. Danish scored 54 runs not out, Raham Yousafzai made 32 runs with three sixes and two boundaries, Saad scored 18 runs with one six and two boundaries, Ajmal smashed two sixes and a boundary in his 17 runs knock and Azmat Ullah scored 15 runs.
For Qalander Shehzad Durrani claimed three wickets for 22 runs in his four overs spell, Aftab got two wickets. Thus Tigers setup a taget of 179 runs to chase. In reply, it was good target given by Tigers of 179 runs, 13 runs per over. It was rather a difficult task for Qalander to chase and their batsmen tried hard to come up to the expectations with Mehmood-ur-Rehman was the pick of the pack, hitting 65 runs including eight sixes and a boundary. Mehmood played well along with Aftab who made 40 runs including three sixes and a boundary. But when Mehmood was caught and bowled by skipper of Tigers Tariq Afaq on his own bowling.
Speaking on this occasion, Governor Engr. Iqbal Zafar Jhagra lauded the efforts being put in for holding the event. The Governor gave away winner and runners-up trophy. He also announced Rs 120,000 for the winners and Rs 60,000 for the runners-up. Saad of Tigers was awarded Rs 15000 as best bowler by taking 13 wickets and Yasir Ali got best batsman trophy with Rs 15000. The Governor also announced Rs 50,000 for the organizing committee and Rs 10,000 for the Man of the Match Danish Babar. Irshad of Mashtriq TV was awarded for best TV report of MCL. A total of 12 teams took part in the RMI Media Cricket League-2017.