Peshawar Region defended their National Twenty20 Cup title in style as they choked star-studded Karachi Region Blues by seven wickets in the final played at the jam-packed Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.

Peshawar, who managed to chase mammoth totals in the entire tournament, once again decided to field first and preferred chasing the total, and invited Karachi Blues to bat first. Karachi Blues managed to post 177-8 on board in the allotted overs.

Peshawar started their run chase in great style with Rifattullah hammering 23-ball 43 with the help 6 fours and 2 sixes. However, other Peshawar batsmen failed to counter Karachi bowling.

Then Rizwan showed his class after coming to the crease and he along with Iftikhar Ahmad landed their team home safely as Peshawar chased the target in 18.5 overs for the loss of just three wickets. Rizwan slammed 33-ball 56 while Ifrtikhar contributed a crucial 40-ball 57 in their team’s impressive title triumph.

M Rizwan was declared the Man of the Match for his unbeaten innings and was also lauded widely by the jam-packed crowd.