Two unbeaten sides will clash against each other when Central Punjab U19 Blues take on the last year’s finalist Khyber Pakhtunkhwa U19 Whites in the final of the National U19 Cup on Friday at the Rana Naveed Cricket Academy in Sheikhupura. Both teams topped their pools in the 12-team 50-over tournament.

The winning team will receive PKR One million while the runner-up will bag PKR500,000.

The tournament’s top performers – best player, best batter, best bowler and best wicketkeeper – will receive PKR50,000 each. The player of the final will be awarded PKR20,000.

Both captains have led their teams from the front as Central Punjab U19 Blues captain Obaid Shahid has scored 246 runs from four matches at 82 with three half-centuries to his name. Opposing captain Abbas Ali has scored 158 from five matches at 39.50 with two half-centuries and taken seven wickets.

Abbas Ali said: “We are really excited and geared up for the final. We lost in the final last year, but will give our all-out effort to win this year.”

“Central Punjab has also remained unbeaten in the tournament and it will be a good contest. We will try to keep it simple, play it as we have been playing in the tournament.”

Obaid Shahid said: “We have played some exceptional cricket throughout the tournament and we are confident to continue this in the final.”

“Every day is a new day, we are really proud of the way we have performed in the tournament and we will try to repeat the same performance tomorrow.”

“Being a leader it is really important to perform and to be an example for your teammates and help your team rise.”

Players to watch out for in the final:

Central Punjab U19 Blues:

Right-arm off-spinner Arham Nawab and 18-year old left-arm spinner Ali Asfand – both part of the squad for Pakistan U19 in ICC U19 World Cup 2022 have featured in four matches taking 10 wickets apiece in the tournament. Arham has bowled at an economy rate of 2.64, while Ali has an economy rate of 3.13.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa U19 Whites:

Right-arm fast Aimal Khan has snaffled eight wickets from four matches at an economy rate of 4.87. Aimal has four for 23 as his best figures in the match. The 17-year old Mohammad Irfan has picked seven wickets from four outings in the tournament. The left-arm orthodox has bowled at an economy rate of 2.47.

In the batting department, the 17-year old Shahzaib has scored 196 runs from five matches at 98. The left-handed batter has scored one century and one half-century in the tournament.