Peshawar rout Rawalpindi to remain unbeaten

KARACHI: Peshawar remain unbeaten in the National T20 Super-8 stage as they outclassed Rawalpindi to win their sixth successive game, while Karachi Whites registered their fourth win by defeating FATA here on Thursday.

At the UBL Sports Complex, Rawalpindi, electing to bat first, had to pay for their decision as the Peshawar bowlers ran through their top order sending half of the batting line for just 42 runs.

With contribution from all bowlers, Peshawar bowled out Rawalpindi for just 107 in 19 overs, with skipper Umar Amin (31) being the top scorer.

For Peshawar, Mohammad Imran took six wickets in a sensational four-over spell, while Niaz Khan (2), Iftikhar Ahmed (1), and Mohammad Ilyas (1) also chipped in. In reply, Peshawar batters came out with a brazen approach and chased down the small target in just 13.2 overs, losing three wickets. Opener Sahibzada Farhan scored 47 off just 23 balls with four fours and sixes, while Iftikhar remained 30 not out.

For Pindi, Mohammad Nawaz and Mehran Mumtaz picked two and one scalps, respectively. At the NBP Sports Complex, Karachi Whites beat FATA by 8 wickets.

Electing to field first, Karachi Whites kept the pressure on FATA from the outset as opener Naeem was run out with just three runs on the board. However, Samiullah’s 26 and Kashif Noor’s 32 did help FATA to recover. But the Karachi Whites bowlers’ tight lines ensured that FATA couldn’t reach a threatening total. Sameen Gul’s 14 balls off seven balls took the total to 139 in 20 overs.