FAISALABAD: A sensational century from Sahibzada Farhan and an all-round bowling effort helped Peshawar cruise into the National T20 Cup final with a dominant win in the first semifinal against Abbottabad at Iqbal Stadium here on Wednesday.
Batting first after being put in, Peshawar Region posted a mammoth 243/3 in their 20 overs, completely dismantling Abbottabad’s bowling attack.
The charge was led by Farhan’s breathtaking 148 off just 72 balls, an innings packed with 10 fours and 12 sixes, striking at a staggering 205.56.
Sahibzada Farhan found early support from Waqar Ahmed, who contributed a steady 34 off 27 balls before departing at 116/1 in the 12th over. Maaz Sadaqat then kept the momentum going with a quickfire 31 off 17 balls, laced with four boundaries and a six.
But it was the final flourish that made Peshawar’s total even more daunting. Muhammad Amir Barki smashed 20 off just five balls, striking at 400, while Iftikhar Ahmed remained unbeaten on 2 as they finished in commanding fashion.
Abbottabad’s bowlers had no answers, with Shahab Khan, Yasir Shah, and Ahmed Khan managing a wicket each. Their cause wasn’t helped by eight extras, including six wides and two no-balls.
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Chasing 244, Abbottabad needed a near-perfect start, and Shahzaib Khan provided hope with a fighting 53 off 43 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes.
Sajjad Ali Hashmi played an aggressive 37 off just 22 balls at a strike rate of 168.18, but his dismissal at 74 in the 7th over halted the momentum.
A brief counterattack from Afaq Ahmed (14 off 6) and Khayam Khan (13 off 6) kept the scoreboard ticking, but the middle order crumbled under pressure.
Atizaz Habib Khan (5), Ahmed Khan (2), and Kamran Ghulam (2) failed to make an impact as wickets kept tumbling.
Khalid Usman (17 off 10) and Shahab Khan (32 off 17)* added some late resistance, but it was too little, too late. Abbottabad eventually finished at 187/8, falling 56 runs short.
For Peshawar, Usman Tariq, Mohammad Imran Jr., Israrullah, and Iftikhar Ahmed took two wickets each, ensuring a comfortable win and sealing a spot in the National T20 Cup final.
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