Shaheen Shah Afridi-led Pakistan Gold defeated Saim Ayub-captained Pakistan Whites by five wickets and qualified for Tuesday’s final of the National Champions Cup against Shadab Khan’s Pakistan Greens.

Shaheen Shah Afridi led from the front when he returned figures of 8-0-26-3 as Pakistan Whites were dismissed for 172 in 41.4 overs. Needing to achieve the target in 32.1 overs to move ahead of Pakistan Blues and Whites on net run-rate, Pakistan Gold romped to victory in 28 overs for the loss of five wickets.

While the Pakistan Greens topped the table with three successive wins, Pakistan Gold, Pakistan Whites, and Pakistan Blues each ended up with one win apiece. However, Gold achieved a net run-rate of -0.473 as compared to -0.805 by Pakistan Whites and -1.093 by Pakistan Blues.

Besides Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mubasir Khan and Faisal Akram also bowled well and claimed two for 29 and two for 48, respectively.

For Pakistan Whites, Hasan Nawaz was the top-scorer with 55 from 74 balls with three fours and two sixes, while Saim Ayub scored 30 from 39 balls with four fours. Saad Masood contributed 20.

Pakistan Gold’s run-chase was spearheaded by Haider Ali, who scored 69 not out from 48 balls with seven fours and three sixes. Saad Khan scored 33 from 55 balls with three fours and Kamran Ghulam scored 30 from 26 balls with four fours.

Mohammad Wasim Junior collected two wickets for 47 runs for Pakistan Whites.
Scores in brief

Scores in brief:

Match 6 – Pakistan Gold beat Pakistan Whites by five wickets

PAKISTAN WHITES 172 all-out, 41.4 overs (Hasan Nawaz 55, Saim Ayub 30, Saad Masood 20, Mohammad Wasim Jnr 18; Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-26, Mubasir Khan 2-29, Faisal Akram 2-48)

PAKISTAN GOLD 173-5, 28 overs (Haider Ali 69 not out, Saad Khan 33, Kamran Ghulam 30, Shamyl Hussain 15, Muhammad Akhlaq 15; Mohammad Wasim Jnr 2-47)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan Gold)

TUESDAY’S MATCH (Final) – Pakistan Greens v Pakistan Gold