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MULTAN, Oct 16 (APP):Lahore Blues lifted the National Men’s Under-19 One-Day Cup after a commanding seven-wicket victory over Rawalpindi in the final played at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
After winning the toss, Rawalpindi elected to bat first but could only manage 142 runs in 44.1 overs before being bowled out. Ali Mehdi Rizvi top-scored with 36 runs, while Abdul Qadir contributed 26. For Lahore Blues, Naqeebullah and Ibtisam Azhar shared the spoils, claiming three wickets each for 16 and 25 runs, respectively.
In reply, Lahore Blues chased down the modest target comfortably, reaching 143 for three in 39.4 overs. Khizar Butt anchored the innings with a fluent 46 runs, including seven boundaries, and forged a crucial 69-run partnership for the third wicket with Jahangir Bilal, who smashed a fifty with seven boundaries and remained unbeaten at 56.
Naqeebullah was named Player of the Match for his outstanding all-round performance, while Lahore Blues skipper Ali Hasan Baloch bagged the Player of the Tournament award.
Faisalabad’s Momin Qamar was declared Best Bowler. Ali Hasan Baloch also received the Best Batter award, and Sajjad Ahmed of Karachi Whites was named Best Wicketkeeper.
The champions, Lahore Blues, received a cash prize of Rs. 2 million, while runners-up Rawalpindi were awarded Rs. 1 million.
A total of 18 regional teams competed in the tournament, with Lahore Blues topping Group A and Rawalpindi finishing first in Group B to book their places in the final.