Tag: National T20 Cup

MULTAN: Central Punjab (CP) captain Qasim Akram and veteran batter Shoaib Malik led the charge in their final group stage encounter of the ongoing National T20 Cup 2022 against Northern with a fifty each, helping the side finish third in the standings.

Set to chase 163, the fifties from Qasim and Shoaib powered CP to seal a much-needed victory to finish the group stage of the tournament on a high after a dismal start.

The CP were off to a poor start to the run chase as the side lost both openers Faizan Khan and Muhammad Akhlaq at a mere 33 in the fifth over.

Top-order batter Tayyab Tahir, who had a remarkable tournament thus far, kept scoring at a rapid pace but failed short at the cusp of the batting powerplay as he fell to Salman Irshad for 23.

Following the slump, Shoaib and Qasim stood up for their side and put on a match-defining 100-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

The pair appeared solid and were looking confident to steer the CP over the line before Zaman Khan struck in the 18th over to remove Qasim for 58. He faced 37 deliveries in the course of his brilliant knock and smashed eight boundaries.

Right-handed experienced batter Shoaib, on the other hand, remained unbeaten and top-scored for the side with 62 off 39 deliveries, laced with six boundaries and two sixes.

For Northern, Mehran Mumtaz, Sohail Tanvir, Zaman, and Salman made one scalp each.

Batting first, Norther finished at a below-par 162/5 in the allotted 20 overs despite a magnificent knock from the opening batter Nasir Nawaz. He top-scored for the side with 82 off 57 deliveries, laced with six boundaries and four sixes.

Besides Nasir, none of the Northern batters could contribute significantly and the side, as a result, failed to amass a massive score. Skipper Umar Amin chipped in with 31 but remained a touch too slow as he faced 29 deliveries in the proceedings.

For CP, Aamer Yamin led the way with three wickets, while Hunain Shah and Faizan Khan struck out a batter each.

READ: Chameera, Kumara return as Sri Lanka unveils squad for T20 World Cup 

MULTAN: Sindh’s right-arm pacer Asif Mehmood stole the show with the first hat-trick of the ongoing National T20 Cup against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) before scoring an important unbeaten 28 to power his side to the glory in the 24th match of the tournament.

Batting first, KP could only manage to score 147/9 in the allotted 20 overs despite a brilliant knock of 44 from opening batter Sahibzada Farhan as Sindh bowlers – led by Asif displayed combined effort to halt their expedition to a chase-able total.

The defending champions KP had a poor start to their inning as young opener Mohammad Haris fell cheaply after scoring a mere six while the side lost their first wicket at a combined score of 26 in the fifth over.

Farhan then joined forces with Kamran Ghulam and added a crucial 46 runs for the second wicket before leg-spinner Zahid Mehmood struck in the 12th over to remove both batters in successive deliveries.

Farhan top-scored for KP with 44 off 36 deliveries, laced with six boundaries and a six, while Kamran could score 19 off 21.

The side then began to lose wickets at an alarming rate and as a result, reduced to 147/9 in 20 overs as the rest of the batters could not contribute significantly.

Asif further added to the misery of the defending champions in the final over as he removed Niaz Khan, Mohammad Sarwar, and Mohammad Imran to bag the first hat-trick of the ongoing season.

The right-arm pacer was the pick of the bowlers for Sindh for his three wickets, while Zahid and Sohail Khan bagged two each. Mir Hamza and Abrar Ahmed, on the other hand, struck out a batter each.

Set to chase 148, Sindh steered to the victory in the final over with three wickets to spare as Asif and Hamza added an unbeaten 42 runs for the seventh wicket to power their side over the line.

Left-handed batter Saad Khan top-scored for the side with a valiant knock of 31 runs off 28 deliveries with the help of two boundaries, while Asif scored an unbeaten 28 off 17 balls including two boundaries and as many sixes.

Left-arm pacer Hamza also contributed in the run chase with a gritty knock of 19 runs off 15 deliveries including one boundary and a six.

Following this victory, Sindh dethroned KP from the top position in the points table.

READ: Shaheen ‘almost there’ to achieve complete fitness for T20 WC, Tri Series

MULTAN: Central Punjab’s Faizan Khan and Tayyab Tahir starred with glittering fifties to aid their side seal a comprehensive 25-run win over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), ending the defending champions’ unbeaten run in the National T20 Cup. 

The top-order duo wreaked havoc on KP’s bowling attack as they combined excellently for a magnificent 98-run stand after Central Punjab lost the opener Muhammad Akhlaq in the first over.

Faizan smashed 72 off 36 at an astounding strike rate of 200, including seven sixes and four boundaries, while Tayyab blasted 75 off 48, laced with eight fours and four gigantic sixes, to help Central Punjab post a mammoth total of 193 in the 20 overs after they were put to bat.

Maaz Khan starred with the ball for KP as he ran through Central Punjab’s middle order and picked four wickets. Meanwhile, Muhammad Imran took three wickets to bundle out the opponents despite a flourishing start.

KP, on the other hand, failed to pull off the target despite a valiant 47 off 31 by the opener Sahibazada Farhan and expeditious knocks lower down the order by Mohammad Sarwar and skipper Khalid Usman.

Sarwar scored 28 off 14 while Khalid hit 24 off 16 while the middle order failed to impress as Central Punjab restricted KP to 168/9 in the 20 overs.

For Central Punjab, Aamer Yamin, Hunain Shah and Ali Asfand claimed two wickets while Waqas Maqsood, Usama Mir and Faizen made a scalp apiece.

READ: Swiatek defeats Jabeur to clinch US Open crown

RAWALPINDI: Sindh wicketkeeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed’s valiant knock of unbeaten 62 runs went in vain as Central Punjab’s (CP) Aamer Yamin held his nerves calm to defend 21 runs in the final over to bolster his side to a maiden victory in the ongoing National T20 Cup 2022.

Set to chase a commendable 189, Sindh fell 11 runs short in the end despite a blistering and gritty knock by wicketkeeper batter Sarfaraz as he could not get any support from the rest of the batters.

Sindh were off to a flying start to their run chase as the right-handed young opener Saim Ayub took on the CP bowlers and scored at a rapid pace. His partner, Sharjeel, however, who was struggling to get going, perished in the fourth over after scoring a snail-paced nine.

Saim then joined hands with Omair Yousuf and added 30 runs for the second wicket before Shoaib Malik trapped him in his legs in the seventh over. He scored a quickfire 35 off 17 deliveries, laced with four boundaries and two sixes.

Sindh lost another wicket in the next over and were slipped to 65/3 as all-rounder Saad Khan perished cheaply for a mere one.

Sarfaraz then joined Omair at the crease and anchored the run chase with a 53-run partnership for the fourth wicket. The pair appeared solid and had brought their side back in the hunt before the latter fell in the 15th over after scoring 37 off 29 deliveries.

Following his departure, Sindh began to lose wickets at an alarming rate, while Sarfaraz held his ground firm and kept the scoreboard ticking single-handedly.

All-rounder Anwar Ali was the only batter who provided some support to Sarfaraz to pull off the match, while the rest of the batters could not enter the double-figures.

Sarfaraz remained unbeaten with his quickfire knock of 62 off just 37 deliveries, laced with five boundaries and two sixes.

Usama Mir shone with the ball for CP as he bagged three wickets, while Mohammad Ali claimed two. Shoaib, Qasim Akram, and Yamin, on the other hand, made one scalp each.

Batting first, CP managed to put on a decent 188/5 in the allotted 20 overs, thanks to the fifties from Faizan Khan and Shoaib.

Faizan top-scored for the side with a blistering 55 off a mere 24 deliveries including six boundaries and four sixes, while Shoaib followed back with 54 off just 33 deliveries with the help of four boundaries and two sixes.

Tayyab Tahir and Irfan Khan also contributed with 33 each and bolstered the side to finish at a decent total.

For Sindh, Abrar Ahmed and Sohail Khan led the way with two wickets each, while Saim struck out a batter.

READ: 175 foreign players available for PJL drafts against 24 overseas spots

RAWALPINDI: Northern’s Ali Imran starred with a brilliant half-century as his side edged past Central Punjab by just three runs after a thrilling encounter in National T20 Cup on Sunday.

Set to chase a respectable total of 147, Central Punjab fell short of the target in a 16-over per side reduced match despite a magnificent second-wicket partnership of 83 runs between Tayyab Tahir and Abdullah Shafique.

Tayyab smashed a phenomenal 53 off 39 including six boundaries and six before he fell prey to Salman Irshad on a cumulative total of 104.

Central Punjab lost track of its chase after the dismissal, as they started to lose wickets in quick succession. Abdullah scored 33 off 23 before getting dismissed by Usman Shinwari meanwhile veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik managed to score 18 off 12.

For Northern, Irshad bagged two wickets, with Shinwari, Aamer Jamal and Mehran Muimtaz making a scalp each.

Earlier, Northern posted a competitive total of 146/7 following Ali Imran’s scintillating 56 off 34, laced with three boundaries and three sixes while Sohail Tanvir played late cameo of quick 20 off 8 balls.

Mohammad Ali remained the top-wicket taker for Central Punjab as he produced  3/33, while Aamir Yamin and Ali Asfand bagged two wickets each

READ: Mushfiqur Rahim announces retirement from T20I cricket

RAWALPINDI: Left-handed batter Shan Masood shone with a brilliant half-century as Balochistan chased 143 run-target to achieve a resounding five-wicket win over Sindh in National T20 Cup on Friday.  

Masood played a match-winning knock of unbeaten 53 off 39, laced with four boundaries and two sixes to steer his side towards victory after Balochistan bowlers restrict Sindh to 142/7 in the first innings.

Amad Butt, on the other hand, combined excellently with Masood as he contributed with a crucial 25 off 12 to frustrate the Sindh bowlers.

For Sindh, Sohail Khan grabbed two wickets while Mir Hamza, Abrar Ahmed and Zahid Mehmood bagged a wicket each.

Earlier, Sindh opted to bat first and displayed a dismal batting performance as they lost both the openers at 8 runs.  Despite defiant knocks by Saad Khan and Sarfaraz Ahmed in the middle the team failed to post a respectable target.

Saad Khan top-scored for his side with 31 off 27 while Sarfaraz scored 29 off 23 for Sindh.

For Balochistan, Yasir Shah, Kashif Bhatti and Khurram Shaehazad bagged two wickets apiece while Junaid Khan claimed one.

READ: Sarfaraz fined for using inappropriate language in National T20 Cup

RAWALPINDI: Central Punjab skipper Faheem Ashraf has been ruled out of the ongoing National T20 Cup due to split webbing after he was hit by the ball during the last match on Wednesday against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.  

According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), all-rounder Faheem has been advised a 12-day rest after which he will begin rehabilitation.

Asad Raza has been promoted from Central Punjab’s second XI team to replace Faheem in the side. Meanwhile, Bilawal Bhatti will take Asad’s place.

It is pertinent to mention here that Central Punjab lost both of the matches it has played so far.

READ: ‘Can’t take any team easy in T20’ says Fakhar ahead of Hong Kong clash

RAWALPINDI: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) pacer Imran Khan Snr held his nerves calm to defend 15 runs against Northern in the final over to hand his side a second consecutive victory in the ongoing National T20 Cup 2022.

Set to defend 15 in the penultimate over, Imran had the worst possible start to his over as his first delivery went for a six. The right-arm pacer, however, did not lose the momentum and went on to halt the Northern batters to seal the victory as they fell two runs short of the glory.

Batting first, KP finished at a commendable 159/8 in the allotted 20 overs, thanks to the anchoring half-century from opening batter Sahibzada Farhan.

The right-handed opener top-scored for the side with a magnificent 53 off 45 deliveries, laced with two boundaries and three sixes. His opening partner Mohammad Haris also chipped in up the order with a brilliant 33 off 27.

All-rounder Mohammad Sarwar then scored an important 24 runs down the order and powered KP to finish at 159/8.

For Northern, Usman Shinwari and Slaman Irshad bagged three wickets each, while Aamer Jamal and Mehran Mumtaz struck out a batter each.

Set to chase 160, Northern fell a mere two runs short courtesy of a brilliant final over from Imran Snr and finished at 157/5 in 20 overs.

Opening batter Hassan Nawaz top-scored for the side with an important 38, while skipper Ali Imran scored an anchoring 31 off 27 deliveries, but that too, could not propel Northern to seal the victory.

For KP, Khalid Usman claimed two wickets for 16, while Kamran Ghulam, Arshad Iqbal, and Imran Snr made one scalp each.

READ: Sri Lanka win toss, elect to bowl first against Bangladesh in Asia Cup

RAWALPINDI: Imran Khan Snr led the bowling attack with four wickets against Central Punjab (CP) to power the defending champions Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) to their maiden victory in the recently-commenced National T20 Cup 2022.

Set to chase 166 in 20 overs, CP fell 16 runs short in the end, and finished at 147/9 in 19.1 overs as their captain Faheem Ashraf remained unavailable to bat due to an injury.

The side were off to a dismal start to their run chase as they lost two wickets for a mere 33 in five overs. Tayyab Tahir and Qasim Akram then anchored the innings with an important 57-run partnership for the third wicket.

The pair appeared solid and was looking to take the game into CP’s favour before Arshad Iqbal castled Qasim in the 12th over. The right-handed batter scored a run-a-ball 15.

Following the breakthrough, CP ran into a frustrating lower-order collapse and as a result, slipped to 147/8 in 19 overs with their top-scorer Tayyab being the latest casualty. He scored a brilliant 72 off 45 deliveries, laced with five boundaries and three sixes.

CP captain Faheem, who sustained an injury while bowling in the first inning could not bat in the run chase forcing the side to finish at 147/9 with five balls to spare.

Imran Snr was the pick of the bowlers for KPK as he returned with match-winning bowling figures of 4-27, while Asif Afridi and Mohammad Imran bagged two wickets each. Arshad, on the other hand, made a timely scalp.

Batting first, KPK managed to register a decent total of 165/6 in the allotted 20 overs, thanks to the combined batting effort from the defending champions.

Kamran Ghulam remained the top scorer for the side with 39 off 32 deliveries, while Mohammad Sarwar Afridi followed back with a quickfire 30 off 21 balls.

Ali Asfand led the bowling attack for CP with two wickets, while Wahab Riaz, Usama Mir, and Irfan Khan Niazi struck out a batter each.

READ: Hong Kong win toss, elect to bowl first against India in Asia Cup 2022

RAWALPINDI: Sindh opener Saim Ayub blasted a blistering 92 off 52 before left-arm pacer Mir Hamza shone with the ball to help their side edge past Northern by 10 runs to secure the second consecutive win in the National T20 Cup.

Left-handed batter Saim smashed seven sixes and six fours to steer his team into a comfortable position after they were put to bat. All-rounder Saad Khan played a late cameo of unbeaten 26 off 17 to power Sindh raise a massive 191-run target for Northern.

For Nothern, experienced pacer Sohail Tanvir bagged three wickets with Usman Shinwari, Aamir Jamal, Salman Irshad and Mehran Mumtaz made one scalp apiece.

Northern underwent a dismal start to their chase as left-arm pacer Mir Hamza got rid of both the openers during his first spell.

Despite a valiant resistance in the middle by Nasir Nawaz (39) and Zeeshan Malik (29) with a 54-run partnership, Northern fell short of the target and managed 180/7 in their 20 overs.

Nasir remained the top scorer for his side with his 39 off 21, laced with six boundaries and a six, while Mubashir Khan contributed 33 off 25.

For Sindh, Mir Hamza led the attack as he produced the sensational figures of 3/33 while Sohail Khan forced two dismissals. Zahid Mehmood and Saim also bagged a wicket each.

READ: ‘If our players play with calmness, we can beat Pakistan’ Asghar Afghan