In the first final, both the teams provided a perfect Twenty20 entertainment to spectators and television viewers alike. The ups and downs during the match both for Badshahs and Heroes made the game more interesting. But, Badshahs opener Imran Farhat stole the limelight and also took away the match from Heroes by his quick fire innings of 65 off just 38 balls. Imran Farhat was declared Man of the Match for his match winning half century.

Earlier, in the evening Lahore Badshahs captain Inzamam-ul-Haq won the toss and elected to bowl first. Hyderabad Heroes openers Ibrahim Khaleel and Jimmy Maher provided a quick start to team and scored 25 for no loss at the end of the third over. Hyderabad openers were looking well-settled, but Inzamam spoiled their run feast by introducing in form bowler, Rana Naved ul Hasan in the 6th over. Rana trapped Khaleel before the wicket and ended the 49 run opening partnership.

All rounder Abdul Razzaq joined Maher and they took the team to 83 for one at the half way mark. With a massive six over mid on in the 12th over, Razzaq brought up the 50 partnership with Maher for the second wicket and also the hundred for his team. Razzaq was in explosion mood and scored his fifth ICL fifty in just 31 balls, with five fours and two towering sixes.

By the 15 over, Hyderabad Heroes were looking in comfortable position at 137/1 and leaping towards a big total. But the last five overs changed the course of game in favour of Badshahs. Heroes could not take the full advantage of the death overs and scored 170 for five in their allotted 20 overs. The highlight of the Hyderabad Heroes innings was a brilliant 69 off 46 balls from Abdul Razzaq. While from Badshahs, Rana Naved ul Hasan again gave brilliant performance with the ball ending with impressive figures of three for 25.

Badshahs openers Imran Nazir and Imran Farhat started the run chase in their usual attacking style. Imran Nazir raced off to 25 runs of only eight balls and took the Badshahs to 28 for no loss at the end of second over. However Nazir’s innings was ended by Razzaq in the very next over. After Nazir’s fall, Rana Naved joined Farhat and brought up the team’s fifty only in the fourth over of the innings.

Naved, who was looking dangerous for Heroes was removed by Boje in the 10 over. But Farhat continued his powerful play and entertained the crowd with delightful strokes. Farhat brought up his fourth ICL fifty in the 12 over, of only 31 balls, including four fours and same number of sixes. However, Farhat’s brilliant innings came to an end when Anirudh Singh had him caught at long off by Reddy in the crucial 14th over.

The Lahore Badshahs were moving ahead towards an easy win, but Heroes captain Chris Harris clean bowled Inzamam. On the very next ball, Mohammed Yousuf returned to pavilion. From driver’s seat, Badshahs slipped to 137 for five in 15 overs, and were looking in trouble. But, experienced Azhar Mahmood took the game away from Heroes by sharing a crucial 32 runs seven wicket partnership with Khalid. Badshahs won the first final by four wicket.

By winning the first of three finals, Lahore Badshahs have certainly got an edge over the Heroes. Hyderabad Heroes, who are famous for making comebacks, must win the next match to stay alive in the finals.