Shaheen Shah Afridi saved his absolute best for the National Champions Cup final, bowling Pakistan Gold to a convincing 101-run victory over Pakistan Greens in Multan on Tuesday.

Shaheen grabbed a hat-trick by dismissing Mehran Mumtaz, Salman Mirza, and Mohammad Hasnain on successive deliveries, recording outstanding figures of 8.3-0-36-7. His performance saw Pakistan Greens bowled out for 239 in 37.3 overs after being set a daunting 341-run target.

Earlier, youngsters Saad Khan and Shamyl Hussain had stroked sparkling centuries to help Pakistan Gold post 340, the highest total of the tournament. Saad Khan scored a brilliant 112 from 102 balls (11 fours, 4 sixes), while Shamyl Hussain smashed 111 from just 93 balls (11 fours, 4 sixes).

The two added a match-defining 137-run partnership for the third wicket after Mohammad Akhlaq (31) and Kamran Ghulam (10) returned to the hut with the score at 95 in the 17th over. Later in the order, Abdul Samad scored a run-a-ball 25 and Mubasir Khan added a quick 21 from 17 balls to propel Gold to their commanding total.

For Pakistan Greens, Faheem Ashraf was the most economical bowler, taking two for 40, while Shadab Khan (two for 45) and Naseem Shah (two for 59) were also amongst wickets.

In their chase, Pakistan Greens got off to a flying start as Fakhar Zaman (31) and Omair Bin Yousuf (44) put on a 53-run opening stand. After Fakhar’s departure, Omair and Saad Baig (67) stitched together a 90-run second-wicket partnership, keeping their side firmly in the contest.

However, all their hopes evaporated when Shaheen returned for his second spell and then wrapped up the match in his third spell.

After Razaullah dismissed Omair and Faisal Akram accounted for Saad Baig, Pakistan Greens slipped from a promising 147 for three to 239 all-out.

After a wicketless four-over opening spell, Shaheen dismissed Farhan Yousaf on the first ball of his second spell and followed it up with the scalps of Mohammad Suleman and Shadab Khan. He returned in the 36th over to dismiss Naseem Shah before wrapping up the match in the 38th over.

A hat-trick sealed the win as he trapped Mehran Mumtaz lbw, took a sharp return catch to dismiss Salman Mirza, and bowled Mohammad Hasnain, leaving Faheem Ashraf stranded on 38 not out.

It was an amazing end to Pakistan Gold’s campaign, which was on the verge of elimination after languishing at the bottom of the table. In their final league match, they defeated Pakistan Whites and leapfrogged two teams on net run-rate to qualify for the final, where they outplayed a Greens side that had previously won all its league matches.

Scores in brief:

Match 7 – Pakistan Gold beat Pakistan Greens by 101 runs

Pakistan Gold 340 all-out, 50 overs (Saad Khan 112, Shamyl Hussain 111, Mohammad Akhlaq 31, Abdul Samad 25, Mubasir Khan 21; Faheem Ashraf 2-40, Shadab Khan 2-45, Naseem Shah 2-59)

Pakistan Greens 239 all-out, 37.3 overs (Saad Baig 67, Omair Bin Yousuf 44, Faheem Ashraf 38 not out, Naseem Shah 31, Fakhar Zaman 31; Shaheen Shah Afridi 7-36)

Player of the match – Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan Gold)