Spirited Balochistan edge Islamabad

By Alam Zeb Safi
April 29, 2016

KARACHI: Azhar Ali and Umar Akmal struck fine fifties to keep Balochistan alive when they overpowered Islamabad by three wickets in their last league outing of Pakistan Cup 2016 at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, on Thursday.

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Azhar (80) and Umar (59) enabled Balochistan to chase the 316-run target with two balls to spare after losing seven wickets.

Balochistan needed six runs from the last over of Hasan Ali and five off the last three deliveries. Sohail Tanvir hit a glorious six to complete a well-deserved victory.

Kamran Akmal (134) and Imam-ul-Haq (102) guided Islamabad to 315-8 in the allotted 50 overs.

After Kamran opted to bat first when he won the toss, Islamabad lost left-handed international Sharjeel Khan (13) at 39 in the 11th over. Sharjeel, who was bowled by Awais Zia, hit two fours from 24 balls.

Kamran and Imam batted sensibly, dispatching the loose deliveries towards the boundary. They shared 197 runs for the second wicket — the highest partnership for any wicket in this event so far — to pave the way for a huge total.

International pacer Bilawal Bhatti broke the partnership in the 41st over when he bowled the left-handed Imam after he had completed his first century in this form of cricket.

The 20-year-old nephew of former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq struck ten fours in his 126-ball knock. Imam’s previous best in List A cricket was 89. He got the opportunity because skipper Misbah-ul-Haq flew to Jeddah the other day to perform Umrah. Islamabad were 236-2 at that stage. Leg-spinner Usama Mir removed Kamran, caught by substitute Mohammad Nawaz.

Kamran, who completed his 15th century in this form of cricket, smacked five sixes and 14 fours from 102 deliveries. After Kamran’s fall Islamabad lost five more batsmen and scored 56 from 43 deliveries.

Experienced first-class cricketer Reza Ali Dar hit 22-ball 26 not out with three fours.

Hasan Ali hammered 14 off four deliveries, smashing two sixes.

Bilawal was the pick of the bowlers with 3-57 from ten overs. Usama, playing his first game, claimed 2-62 in eight overs.

Balochistan skipper Azhar Ali (80) and Awais Zia (45) provided a solid 67-run opening stand to Balochistan. Awais, who was run out as a result of a big mix-up, smashed seven exquisite fours in his 42-ball feat.

Rameez Raja Junior (33) and Azhar added 66 for the second wicket before under-19 player Arsal Sheikh dismissed the former, stumped by Kamran.

The right-handed Rameez struck one six in his run-a-ball innings. Pakistan’s middle order batsman Babar Azam (31) and Azhar added 49 runs for the third wicket to take the score to 182-3 before young medium pacer Mohammad Abbas got the key wicket of Azhar in the 33rd over. He was caught by Kamran behind the stumps.

Azhar, who had scored a glorious century in a previous match, hammered three sixes and six fours from 92 deliveries.

Test pacer Mohammad Sami had Babar caught by Kamran to leave Balochistan struggling at 230-4 in 39.3 overs.

Babar, who shared 48 for the fourth wicket with Umar Akmal, struck one four in his careful 48-ball effort.

Keeper Mohammad Hasan extended good support to Umar before Sami bowled the former to reduce Balochistan to 285-5 in 47 overs. The duo added 55 runs for the fifth wicket.

Hasan smacked one four from 26 balls.

Sami also removed Umar after he had hit two sixes and six fours in his 45-ball blitz.

Sohail Tanvir (20) did a fine job at the end to take his side home. Sohail hit two sixes and three fours in his nine-ball unbeaten knock. Bilawal Bhatti (2) fell in the last over. Sami got 3-63 from ten overs.

Ahsan Reza and Ghaffar Kazmi supervised the match. Shozab Reza acted as television umpire, Khalid Mehmood as reserve umpire and Mohammad Anees as match referee.

Sarfraz Ahmed-led Sindh face Shoaib Malik-led Punjab on Friday (today) in a crucial game. If Sindh win they will cruise through to the final. If Sindh lose, the net run-rate will decide the second finalists of the five-team event.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have already qualified for the final which is to be played on Sunday.

Score Board

Islamabad won toss

Islamabad

Imam-ul-Haq b Bilawal 102

Sharjeel Khan b Awais 13

*†Kamran Akmal c sub (Nawaz) b Usama 134

Iftikhar Ahmed c Azhar b Usama 6

Raza Ali Dar not out 26

Sarmad Bhatti run out 2

Zafar Gohar c U Akmal b Bilawal 3

Hasan Ali c Azhar b Bilawal 14

Mohammad Sami b Tanvir 0

Mohammad Abbas not out 7

Extras (lb 2, w 6) 8

Total (8 wickets; 50 overs) 315

Did not bat: Arsal Sheikh

Fall: 1-39, 2-236, 3-259, 4-265, 5-273, 6-286, 7-301, 8-301

Bowling: Tanvir 9-1-47-1(1w); Bilawal 10-0-57-3(1w); Ajmal 10-0-49-0(3w); Awais 5-0-28; Usama 8-0-62-2; Imran 2-0-23-0; Azhar 6-0-47-0(1w)

Balochistan

*Azhar Ali c K Akmal b Abbas 80

Awais Zia run out 45

Rameez Raja st K Akmal b Arsal 33

Babar Azam c K Akmal b Sami 31

Umar Akmal c Sarmad b Sami 59

†Mohammad Hasan b Sami 25

Sohail Tanvir not out 26

Bilawal Bhatti c & b Hasan 2

Usama Mir not out 0

Extras (lb 9, w 7) 16

Total (7 wickets; 49.4 overs) 317

Did not bat: Mohammad Imran, Saeed Ajmal

Fall: 1-67, 2-133, 3-182, 4-230, 5-285, 6-308, 7-311

Bowling: Hasan 8.4-0-56-1(1w); Abbas 9-0-65-1(2w); Sami 10-0-63-3(1w); Iftikhar 4-0-18-0; Zafar 10-0-50-0; Arsal 5-0-35-1(3w); Raza 3-0-21-0

Result: Balochistan won by 3 wickets

Man of the Match: Kamran Akmal (Islamabad)

Umpires: Ahsan Raza and Ghaffar Kazmi. TV umpire: Shozab Raza. Match referee: Mohammed Anees

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