Lahore: Southern Punjab stunned Northern in the 20th match of National T20 Cup by chasing down the 212-run target in the last over and registered their first two points of the competition.
Salman Ali Aghan and captain Aamer Yamin were the two main batters behind run-chase after SP’s poor bowling and fielding let them down.
The pair had come together with 82 required off the last eight overs when Aamer, the Southern Punjab captain, joined Salman after the dismissal of Azam Khan, who smoked three sixes and a four as he blasted 23 off just nine. Salman remained unbeaten on 68 off 40 balls while Yamin smacked 21-ball 41.
Meanwhile, other batters also made valuable contributions. Sohaib Maqsood (23), Tayyab Tahir (15), Khushdil Shah (24) also batted with a higher strike rate.
Earlier, Northern scaled to 211 with Haider Ali’s scintillating 72 not out off 40. The 21-year-old blasted seven fours and four sixes.
Their innings, however, was largely anchored by Haider, who knitted electrifying partnerships with Mohammad Nawaz, who brought his 38 runs at a strike rate of 152, and Imad Wasim, who spanked 40 at a staggering rate of 222.
With this win, SP have kept their semi-finals hope alive.
