KARACHI: Skipper Babar Khan drove ARY News to defend SSB-SJAS Cricket Tournament’s title as they beat Geo News by 29 runs in the final of the event here at Asghar Ali Shah Stadium on Friday. 

While batting first in the event’s final, ARY played aggressively to score 193-7 in 20 overs. Their openers Baber Khan and Mohsin Shafi provided a steady start to the team by scoring 35 runs together.

Baber scored 40 runs off 34 balls including five boundaries. Atiq Ahmed supported ARY’s scoreboard by scoring 36 off 29 balls including five boundaries. In the end, Shahab Akhtar smoked a quick 36 off 14 balls to help ARY post a mammoth total.

Azhar Hussain and Shamroz Farooq shared two wickets each from Geo.

In reply, Geo were under pressure in front of a big total. Their openers Anees Haider and Jaffar Hussain provided a good start but they fell apart in the twilight phase of the match. Anees scored 25 runs whereas Jaffar made 30.

Hammad fought hard in the end and scored 57 off 37 including five boundaries and a six but ARY was on song with their bowling.

Babar also bagged two wickets for ARY.

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