Batters dominate the opening day of Pakistan Cup:
As many as four centuries were scored in the first three matches of the Pakistan Cup One-Day Tournament 2022-23 which commenced today (Saturday) at three Karachi venues.
Mubasir Khan and Umar Amin scored match-winning tons that earned a win for Northern. Besides the duo, Balochistan’s Hussain Talat and Sindh’s Saim Ayub also scored hundreds but their efforts went in vain.
Central Punjab v Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, State Bank Stadium
After being asked to bat first by Central Punjab’s captain Aamer Yamin, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were dismissed for 143 in 39 overs. The match, which was live-streamed on PCB YouTube channel, saw Central Punjab bowlers dominate Khyber Pakhtunkhwa batters. Only four Khyber Pakhtunkhwa batters managed to enter double figures with opening batter Waqar Ahmed top-scoring with a 107-ball 61, hitting seven fours.
For Central Punjab, left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar bagged three wickets for 30, while Ali Shafique, Saif Badar and Waqas Maqsood grabbed two wickets apiece.
In return, Central Punjab chased down the target in 27 overs with eight wickets in hand. The opening pair of Mohammad Faizan (53, 49b, 6×4, 2×6) and Tayyab Tahir (34, 48b, 1×4, 1×6) provided a solid 84-run start to the run-chase. Ahmed Shehzad and Qasim Akram contributed an unbroken 51-run partnership for the third wicket and returned undefeated on 29 and 24 runs, respectively.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Sajid Khan took two wickets for 38 runs.
Southern Punjab v Sindh, UBL Sports Complex
A brilliant century by Saim Ayub took Sindh to 276 all out in the 49th over after they opted to bat first against Southern Punjab.
The opening pair of Sindh, Saim and Sharjeel Khan added 112 runs for the first wicket – the best partnership of Sindh’s innings.
Saim’s 100-run innings came off 81 balls, which included 11 fours and four towering sixes. Sindh batter Sharjeel’s innings of 32 off 36 balls included five boundaries. Wicketkeeper-batter Saifullah Bangash was the other notable run-getter for his side, scoring an unbeaten 54 off 56 balls, studded with four fours and one six.
For Southern Punjab, Pakistan international leg-spinner Usman Qadir took five for 61 from his quota of 10 overs. He was equally supported by fast bowler Mohammad Ilyas with figures of 9-1-43-4.
In reply, half-centuries from Usman Salahuddin (89, 126b, 7×4) and Hasan Ali (55, 33b, 5×4, 3×6) and 17-year old Arafat Minhas (81, 78b, 9×4, 1×6) helped their side achieve the target in the 49th over with two wickets in hand.
For Sindh, fast bowlers Sohail Khan and Mir Hamza bagged three and two wickets, respectively. Asif Mehmood also took two wickets for 54 runs in nine overs.
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Balochistan v Northern, NBP Sports Complex
Unbeaten centuries by Mubasir Khan and skipper Umar Amin took Northern to 356 for two after they were put into bat by Balochistan.
Mubasir and Umar added an unbeaten 184 runs for the third wicket, in which Mubasir Khan top-scored for his side, scoring 118 off 65 balls, smashing 12 fours and five sixes. Umar scored 114 off 1oo balls and struck eight fours and three sixes. Earlier, Pakistan international Haider Ali scored a 110-ball 90, which included eight boundaries. He added 55 runs for the opening wicket with Zeeshan Malik (10, 26b, 1×4).
In return, Balochistan were 244 for seven in 40 overs, when the match ended due to bad light, handing Northern a 54-run win on DLS.
The left-handed Hussain Talat was the only centurion for his side, returning undefeated on 101 off 74 balls, striking three fours and six sixes. Abdul Wahid Bangalzai coming to bat at number three scored a 44-ball 51, clubbed with four fours and three sixes.
For Northern, Musa Khan took three wickets, while Umer Khan took two scalps.
Scores in brief:
Central Punjab beat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by eight wickets.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 143 all out, 39 overs (Waqar Ahmed 61; Zafar Gohar 3-30, Saif Badar 2-9, Ali Shafique 2-13, Waqas Maqsood 2-23).
Central Punjab 144-2, 27 overs (Mohammad Faizan 53, Tayyab Tahir 34; Sajid Khan 2-38).
Player of the match – Zafar Gohar (Central Punjab)
Southern Punjab beat Sindh by two wickets.
Sindh 276 all out, 48.3 overs (Saim Ayub 100, Saifullah Bangash 54 not out, Sharjeel Khan 32; Usman Qadir 5-61, Mohammad Ilyas 4-43).
Southern Punjab 278-8, 48.5 overs (Usman Salahuddin 89, Arfat Minhas 81, Hasan Ali 55, Usman Qadir 18 not out; Sohail Khan 3-33, Asif Mehmood 2-54, Mir Hamza 2-65).
Player of the match – Usman Qadir (Southern Punjab).
Northern beat Balochistan by 54 runs (DLS).
Northern 356-2, 50 overs (Mubasir Khan 118 not out, Umar Amin 114 not out, Haider Ali 90).
Balochistan 244-7, 40 overs (Hussain Talat 101, Abdul Wahid Bangalzai 51, Amad Butt 31; Musa Khan 3-40, Umer Khan 2-57).
Player of the match – Mubasir Khan (Northern).
