Huraira, Haseebullah half-centuries script Northern, Balochistan wins

The Multan leg of the Kingdom Valley National T20 Cup 2022-23 kicked off with a scintillating contest between Northern and Sindh as the former sealed the thriller by one run on the last ball of the match with a run out.

Balochistan completed a comfortable seven-wicket win over Central Punjab in the second match of the day.

Huraira stars in Northern’s close win

Mohammad Huraira played a brilliant innings of 86 in Northern’s one-run win over Sindh. The opener scored his runs at a quick pace (strike rate of 165), smashing 13 fours and a six in his 52-ball innings.

Huraira, later named player of the match, put a profound 132-run first wicket partnership with Nasir Nawaz, who missed half-century by only three runs as he was dismissed by Anwar Ali in the 14th over.

Umar Amin played a cameo of 10-ball 21 not out (three fours) to lift his team to 190 for four. Zeeshan Malik, from the other end, provided his captain the desired support by spanking two sixes and a four in his nine-ball 19 not out

Saud Shakeel, the Sindh captain, led his team’s reply with a breezy 43-ball 70 – hitting nine fours and a six – and stitched a 60-run partnership for the third wicket with Omair Bin Yousuf (20 off 19). Sarfaraz Ahmed provided impetus with his 13-ball 23 (two fours and a six) down the order.

Sindh required 14 off the last six with Anwar Ali and Danish Aziz at the crease. Anwar Ali was dismissed on the third ball after hitting Usman Shinwari for a six on the previous ball. The equation came down to three off one and it ended with Faraz Ali’s run out as he looked to complete the second run and take his team into the Super Over.

Balochistan’s Haseebullah, Amad Butt add to Central Punjab’s misery

Central Punjab won only one of their five matches in Rawalpindi and must have hoped for a change of fortunes in Multan, but their Multan leg got off with a demolishing seven-wicket defeat to Balochistan with Haseebullah’s 72 overhauling 170-run target with an over spare.

Player of the match Haseebullah struck seven fours and three sixes in his 53-ball knock and provided a brilliant start to the run chase with a 96-run partnership with Asad Shafiq, who was another batter in the day to miss out a half-century by three runs. Asad made 47 in 34 (four fours and a six).

Abdul Wahid Bangalzai played a blinder smashing 46 not out at a staggering strike rate of 192 as Balochistan closed the chase with ease.

Amad Butt took four wickets for 30 runs when Central Punjab elected to bat. Shoaib Malik made his experience count, top-scoring with 44 off 30 (four fours). Aamer Yamin was the next best performer in the innings with 37 off 24 (five fours and a six). Central Punjab had made 169 for nine.

Scores in brief:

Northern beat Sindh by 1 run

Northern 190-4, 20 overs (Mohammad Huraira 86, Nasir Nawaz 47, Umar Amin 21 not out)

Sindh 189-7, 20 overs (Saud Shakeel 70, Sarfaraz Ahmed 23, Omair Bin Yousuf 20; Mubasir Khan 2-31, Usman Shinwari 2-43)

Player of the match – Mohammad Huraira (Northern)

Balochistan beat Central Punjab by 7 wickets

Central Punjab 169-9, 20 overs (Shoaib Malik 44, Aamer Yamin 37, Mohammad Faizan 26, Tayyab Tahir 21; Amad Butt 4-30)

Balochistan 173-3, 19 overs (Haseebullah 72, Asad Shafiq 47, Abdul Wahid Bangalzai 46 not out)

Player of the match – Haseebullah (Balochistan)