QUITE simply, the Quaid-e-Azam League's Yasmin & Shaid Solicitors Cup decider at Saltaire Cricket Club was one of the best knockout finals in the history of the league.

Almost 600 runs were scored in front of a bumper crowd on an excellent Roberts Park wicket, providing a feast of entertainment.

OnQ won the toss asked Darushafa to bat, and it looked as if they had made the correct decision when they took the early wicket of Khalil Ullah.

However, Naik Zada (71) and Arsaan Malik (77) had other ideas and made the most of the introduction of the 30-yard circle for fielders - in place for the first time - using the empty spaces cleverly to add 151, putting the batting side in total command.

After breaking this partnership, OnQ skipper Kez Ahmed brought some control to the game, which looked like getting away, with a spell of 3-47 off nine overs.

Darulshafa skipper Ayyaz Akram batted sensibly, keeping the scoreboard ticking with an innings of 62 not out until a strong finish by Mohammed Bilal (23) and Sayed Hashmi (21no) helped them to a formidable total of 277-6.

OnQ made an equally impressive start, and they looked to be in control until the arrival of Sayed Hashmi, who bowled impressively, taking 3-45 and causing a wobble in the middle of the innings.

However, Darulshafa were generally let down by their bowlers, consistently bowling leg-side wides, which boosted the extras by 44 runs and kept OnQ in the game without having to score boundaries.

Man-of-the-match Fahid Rehman then played one of the finest innings in the cup final history.

As long as he was at the crease, others simply had to play around him, and he received support from Adeel Shafique (42) and Gharib Razzak (38).

Fittingly with eight needed off the final over, Fahid hit the winning boundary to go to 78 not out with a ball to spare.