Hamara Watan Sports National and international
CricketSports

Multan beat Karachi to reach National T20 Cup Semis

FAISALABAD – Abbottabad and Multan reached the the National T20 Cup Semis by beating Lahore Whites and Karachi Whites, respectively on Sunday night here at the Iqbal Stadium.

In the first quarter-final, Abbottabad overcame Lahore Whites on the back of Kamran Ghulam’s unbeaten half-century (58 not out), which helped them knock down the 131-run target in 17.5 overs.

After opting to field first, Abbottabad bagged two early wickets after which Lahore Whites’ skipper Muhammad Akhlaq steered the innings with a 49-ball 59.

After Akhlaq’s departure in the 17th over at 96-5, Kamran Afzal (25 not out) and Mohammad Azeem Dar (19 not out) stitched a 34-run unbeaten stand to help their team notch a fighting total. Abbottabad’s Khalid Usman picked up two wickets for 15 runs.

In turn, player of the match Kamran kept the Abbottabad innings intact after walking in at 12-1, jotting a 54-run second-wicket stand with Shahzaib Khan (28) and a 49-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Afaq Ahmed (31) to take the team over the line.

In the second, quarter-final Multan successfully defended their 155-run total as they edged out the defending champions Karachi Whites by seven runs to secure a semi-final spot.

After Multan won the toss and elected to bat first, opening batter Zeeshan Ashraf headlined their batting effort with a sublime 60 off 34 balls hitting nine fours and three sixes before departing in the 10th over.

Muhammad Shahzad (36), who walked in at 81-3, stitched a 24-run stand with Arafat Minhas (13) and then a valuable 37-run partnership with Humayun Altaf (17), which pushed Multan past the 150-run mark.

In turn, Karachi lost their first three wickets for just 18 runs in 4.5 overs before Haroon Arshad (42) and Mohammad Taha (36) rebuilt the innings with a 79-run stand. Saad Baig, who walked in at 98-5, struck a 19-ball 25 but in vain as they fell seven runs short.

For Multan, pacer Mohammad Ismail was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4-0-34-3, while Faisal Akram picked up two wickets. Wasim Akram Jnr, Ali Majid and Arafat Minhas dismissed one batter each.

Related posts

Australia volleyball team touches down in Pakistan ahead of historic series

M.Naveed

Challenge to overcome key injuries at Champions Trophy – Australia team preview

M.Naveed

Omaima shines in Karachi win over Peshaw

M.Naveed

Leave a Comment