By Sport Reporter/Doha

CHAMPIONS ALL: General Secretary Manzoor Ahmed presenting the trophy to winning captain Umar Taj
Qatar National Team defeated Pakistan Eleven by four wickets to win the Five-Team National Sports Day Cricket Tournament at the West Bay Grounds.
 The event was organised by the Qatar Cricket Association (QCA) to celebrate the National Sports Day. In all, five teams participated in the one-day event. Apart from Qatar, expatriate communities of Pakistan , India , Bangladesh and Sri Lanka participated in the tournament.
 Qatar and Pakistan Eleven qualified for the final, which turned out to be a thriller as the result was decided with just four balls to go.
 After Pakistan was restricted to 126 for eight in 18 overs, Qatar’s captain Umar Taj put up a fine show with the willow and provided a solid start to the run chase. He was involved in a sound opening stand of 66 runs with Jahangir. Taj scored a fluent 35, which was studded with a six and five hits to the ropes. After he got out, Jahangir made 28 and Pakistan Eleven seemed to be clawing its way back into the match. Qatar’s vice-captain Awais stepped out and wrested the match with a responsible unbeaten 42 in 17.4 overs and four wickets to spare.
Earlier, Pakistan after electing to take the first share of the crease failed to post a challenging total. Captain Mohammad Boota and Khurram shared the batting spoils for the Pakistan team. Boota smashed two massive sixes and four boundaries, while Khurram slammed a neat 42 to take the score into three figures. Sardar bowled intelligently and economically for Pakistan and grabbed four wickets for 24 runs in his four overs, playing the chief role in limiting the rival’s total. Abbas, Nadeem, Qamar and Usman all took a wicket each. Awais was adjudged the Man of the Final for his overall performance. Mohammad Boota was declared the Man of the Tournament. Brief scores: Pakistan XI: 126 for eight in 18 overs Mohd Boota 34 (6x2, 4x4), Khurram 42, Sardar 4 wkts, Abbas, Nadeem, Qamar, Usman 1 wkt each); Qatar XI: 127 for six in 17.4 overs (Umar Taj 35 (6x1, 4x5), Jahangir 28, Awais 42 not out) Man of the Final: Awais of Qatar XI; Man of the Tournament: Mohammad Boota of Pakistan XI.