Defending champions Balochistan recorded their first win in the Pakistan Cup 2022-23 when they defeated Sindh by five runs on DLS in the second round match here at the State Bank Stadium in Karachi on Monday.
In other Pakistan Cup matches, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on the back of an unbeaten 98 from Kamran Ghulam overcame Southern Punjab by six wickets, while Central Punjab on the back of half-centuries by Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Faizan, Qasim Akram and Tayyab Tahir earned a 73-run win over Northern.
Balochistan v Sindh, State Bank Stadium
After being asked to bat first by Balochistan’s Yasir Shah, Sindh were dismissed on the final ball of their innings for 288. The match, which was live-streamed on PCB’s YouTube channel, saw southpaws Danish Aziz and Saim Ayub scoring half-centuries for their side. Opening batter Saim top-scored with a 75-ball 79, hitting eight fours and one six.
Danish coming to bat at number six returned undefeated on 74 off 84 balls, which included five fours and two sixes. Mir Hamza (39, 44b, 2x4, 2x6) and Sharjeel Khan (35, 28b, 6x4) were the other contributors with the bat.
For Balochistan, Amad Butt and Kashif Bhatti bagged three wickets each, while Khurram Shahzad and Yasir took two wickets apiece.
In return, an unbeaten century by left-handed Ali Waqas helped his side cross the line with five wickets in hand. Balochistan won the match on DLS by four runs as light faded after 46 overs of their run-chase. Player of the match Ali scored 121 off 122 balls, smashing 10 fours and three sixes. He knitted a 129-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Bismillah Khan (54, 60b, 5x4) and then added an unbroken 76 runs for the sixth wicket with Amad (39 not out, 32b, 1x4, 3x6).
Sindh’s Hamza took two wickets for 39.
Central Punjab v Northern, NBP Sports Complex
At the NBP Sports Complex, the decision to put Central Punjab into bat by Northern’s Umar Amin backfired as the former scored 359 for seven in their 50 overs. Opening batter Tayyab Tahir struck seven fours and five towering sixes during his 91-ball 96. He was equally supported by his opening partner Mohammad Faizan – who scored 50 off 54, hitting six boundaries and the pair stitched a 117-run partnership for the first wicket.
Ahmed Shehzad coming to bat at number three scored 54 off 60, studded with five fours and one six. Qasim Akram scored 67 off 50 balls at the strike rate of 134, blasting seven fours and one six.
For Northern, pacers Aamir Jamal and Usman Khan Shinwari bagged two wickets each.
In reply, Northern managed to score 286 for nine in 50 overs with Haider Ali top-scoring for his side with a 62-ball 55. Mehran Mumtaz (46, 45b, 2x4, 2x6) and Mubasir Khan (44, 54b, 4x4, 1x6) were other notable performers with the bat.
Leg-spinner Usama Mir took most wickets for Central Punjab, taking three for 89 from his 10 overs.
Southern Punjab v Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, UBL Sports Complex
Four wickets by Ihsanullah and an unbeaten 98 from Kamran Ghulam led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to their first win in the Pakistan Cup, beating Southern Punjab by six wickets.
Chasing 183 to win, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa achieved the target inside 39 overs with Kamran top-scoring with a 102-ball 98, studded with five fours and as many sixes.
Southern Punjab’s Usman Qadir, who bagged five wickets in the previous game, took two wickets for 52 in 9.5 overs.
Earlier, after being put into bat Southern Punjab were dismissed for 182 in the 45th over. Arafat Minhas top-scored for his side with a 41-ball 32, which included two fours and one six.
Right-arm fast bowler Ishanullah took four for 42 from 9.3 overs. Khalid Usman and Mohammad Imran bagged two wickets each.
Scores in brief:
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa beat Southern Punjab by six wickets
Southern Punjab 182 all out, 44.3 overs (Arafat Minhas 32; Ihsanullah 4-42, Khalid Usman 2-31, Mohammad Imran Jnr 2-46)
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 184-4, 38.5 overs (Kamran Ghulam 98 not out; Usman Qadir 2-52)
Player of the match – Ihsanullah (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Central Punjab beat Northern by 73 runs
Central Punjab 359-7, 50 overs (Tayyab Tahir 96, Qasim Akram 67, Ahmed Shehzad 54, Mohammad Faizan 50; Usman Khan Shinwari 2-43, Aamir Jamal 2-75)
Northern 286-9, 50 overs (Haider Ali 55, Mehran Mumtaz 46, Mubasir Khan 44; Usama Mir 3-89)
Player of the match – Tayyab Tahir (Central Punjab)
Balochistan beat Sindh by four runs on DLS
Sindh 288 all out, 50 overs (Saim Ayub 79, Danish Aziz 74 not out, Mir Hamza 39; Kashif Bhatti 3-37, Amad Butt 3-59, Yasir Shah 2-32, Khurram Shahzad 2-65)
Balochistan 254-5, 46 overs (Ali Waqas 121 not out, Bismillah Khan 54; Mir Hamza 2-39)
Player of the match – Ali Waqas (Balochistan).