Karachi Region Whites and Multan Region handed a six-wicket defeat to FATA Region and Lahore Region Whites to taste their first victories in the ongoing Pakistan Cup 2023.
The second round of Pakistan Cup 2023-24 was played at four venues across three cities – Rawalpindi, AJK and Abbottabad – in the country.
Karachi Whites banked on their decision to field first and dismissed FATA for 155 in 36.2 overs at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium.
Mohammad Sarwar Afridi was the lone fighter for his side, producing a gritty half-century (53, 68b, 2x4s, 3x6s). Mohammad Farooq, who scored 23 from 43 including two fours and a six, was the second-highest run-getter in the innings.
Veterans Anwar Ali and Sohail Khan grabbed three wickets each. Danish Aziz also got two wickets to his name and bowled three maidens in his eight-over spell.
In return, Karachi Blues completed the target in 31.1 overs, while losing four wickets. Omair Bin Yousuf top-scored (41, 57b, 6x4s) for his team. His efforts were complemented by Asad Shafiq (37 not out, 67b, 4x4s).
Irfanullah Shah took two wickets while Sameen Gul and captain Khushdil Shah had a wicket each to their name.
In another second-round Pakistan Cup fixture, half-centuries by Zain Abbas, Sharoon Siraj and Haseebullah helped Multan to a six-wicket win against Lahore Whites.
Multan won the toss and opted to field first against Lahore Whites at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium.
Lahore Whites were bowled out for 266 in 44.1 overs. Tayyab Tahir (74, 86b, 6x4s, 4x6s) and Aamer Jamal (74, 53b, 7x4s, 4x6s) scored the bulk of the runs for their side.
Captain Saad Naseem chipped in with 22 off 19 deliveries, including two boundaries and a maximum.
Pacer Mohammad Imran registered a four-wicket haul while left-arm wrist-spinner Faisal Akram grabbed two wickets.
It took Multan 39.2 overs to chase the target, getting to 270 at the expense of four wickets. Haseebullah (70, 96, 5x4s, 1×6), Zain Abbas (69, 67b, 6x4s, 1×6) and Sharoon Siraj (55 not out, 44b, 7x4s, 1×6) were crucial to Multan’s smooth sailing to the target.
Kamran Afzal got two wickets while Mohammad Faiq and Ahmed Bashir grabbed a wicket each.
Hunain Shah’s heroics with the ball allowed Lahore Blues to obtain a 94-run victory over Faisalabad in the second round of the Pakistan Cup.
After being put in to bat first, Lahore Blues got to 241-6 in the stipulated 45 overs. Junaid Ali (47 not out, 48b, 4x4s, 1×6) and Umar Siddiq (46, 41b, 8x4s, 1×6) were the high scorers for the side. Umaid Asif (41 not out, 28b, 4x4s, 1×6) and Hussain Talat (39, 63b, 2x4s) also chipped in.
Faisalabad captain Faheem Ashraf returned with three wickets while Mohammad Ali and Arham Nawab picked up a wicket apiece.
In turn, Faisalabad were dismissed for 149 in 36.2 overs courtesy of a six-wicket haul by Hunain Shah. Faisalabad batters had no answers for the questions asked by the right-arm pacer falling 94 short of Lahore Blues’ total.
Faheem was the only batter offering resistance, producing 40 from 57 including five boundaries. Mohammad Faizan (30, 38b, 4x4s) was the other contributor with the bat.
The second round of the Pakistan Cup 2023 was graced with a thriller as Peshawar snatched a one-run victory from Rawalpindi.
Peshawar scored 212-9 in the allotted 45 overs after Rawalpindi decided to bowl first at Mirpur Cricket Stadium.
Nabi Gul hit 47 from 48 including five boundaries and a maximum, and was the top-scorer for the side. He was supported by Sajid Khan (38, 34b, 5x4s, 1×6) and Kamran Ghulam (36, 69b, 2x4s, 1×6).
Spinner Mubasir Khan and pacer Jahandad Khan returned with three scalps each.
Zeeshan Malik (83, 110b, 7x4s, 1×6) and Haider Ali (63, 65b, 11x4s) allowed Rawalpindi to get into a comfortable position while chasing 213.
However, a counterattack by the Peshawar bowlers swung the game back in their favour. Kamran Ghulam took a four-fer, while pacer Abbas Afridi had three wickets to his name.
Mohammad Imran took the last wicket to fall as Rawalpindi fell two runs short of the target as the side was dismissed for 211 in 41.3 overs.
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