Customs clinch Patron's Trophy

Skipper Ali Naqvi played a vital hand to lead Pakistan Customs to a historic four-wicket victory over National Bank in the Patron's Trophy Grade-I Cricket Championship final at the Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday.

Ali Naqvi, the Test discard, struck the winning runs when he dispatched left-arm pacer Zahid Saeed to the cover fence as Customs reached their target of 155 to achieve their first title shortly before lunch. Naqvi stroked nine boundaries in his unbeaten 41 off 47 deliveries in 77 minutes.

Wicket-keeper Wasim Yousufi (6) also played a great part by supporting his captain in the unbroken seventh wicket partnership of 44.

Earlier, Customs, having resumed at 51 for two, lost Nasim Khan, who failed to add to his overnight score of 14. But Aamir Bashir kept his composure to contribute a well-played 37 off 52 balls. His 56-minute knock was laced embellished with six hits to the fence.