Karachi Whites lose second successive match

KARACHI: Karachi Whites lost their second successive game when they were downed by Peshawar by three wickets on the second day of the National T20 Cup at Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi on Friday, while FATA inflicted a shocking 15-run defeat on Rawalpindi. 

Karachi Whites, who lost to Karachi Blues by nine runs in their opener on Thursday, had another bad day when they were undone by holders Peshawar. Chasing 153, Peshawar required six off the last over from Tariq Haroon and five off the last three balls when Anwar Ali (11*) hit a straight six to bring in a sensational win for his side.

After opting to bat first Akbar-ur-Rehman (48) led from the front with a fluent innings to enable Karachi Whites to post a modest total on the batting track.

Akbar, who smashed five fours and two sixes from 27 deliveries, added 65 for the fourth wicket with Asif Zakir, who made 21-ball 18 with two fours.

After opener Rameez Raja Junior (7) failed to click, Zain Abbas (33) and Asad Shafiq (27) added 44 for the second wicket.

Zain, who was trapped lbw by Imran Khan Junior, struck five fours from 29 balls. Asad hit two fours from 24 deliveries before being bowled by spinner Imran Khalid.

Imran Junior, who also took the prized scalp of Asif, picked 2-19 from four overs.

Rafatullah Mohmand (49) and left-hander Israrullah (27) provided a brisk 77 runs start to Peshawar in just eight overs before both lost their wickets in the space of three deliveries.

Rafat hammered four sixes and four fours in his 30-ball fire-work. Israr smacked one six and three fours from 19 balls.

Fakhar Zaman scored 29 off only 16 deliveries, hitting two sixes and two fours. After he was bowled by medium fast bowler Tariq Haroon, Peshawar kept losing wickets at regular intervals but Anwar Ali saved them by hitting a six in the last over.

Left-arm medium pacer Mir Hamza, who took the prized scalps of Test cricketer Iftikhar Ahmed (17) and Zohaib Khan (6) in the penultimate over, finished with 2-34. Rafatullah was adjudged man-of-the- match.

FATA pulled off a well-deserved win against Sohail Tanvir-led Rawalpindi to open their account with two points.

Skipper Fawad Khan (94) played his career-best knock to enable FATA to pile-up 162-5.

The 29-year-old hammered eight sixes and seven fours from 51 deliveries. Fawad dominated the 43-run first wicket partnership with Yasir Hameed (16). He then shared 72 for the fifth wicket with Mohammad Usman (31*), who smacked two fours and a six from 29 balls.

Left-arm international spinner Zulfiqar Babar got 2-22 from four overs. Rawalpindi were restricted to 147-9. Zahid Mansoor (30) and Sohail (26) added 52 off 34 deliveries for the sixth wicket to keep their side in the game. Debutant Mohammad Imran (2-21) removed both Sohail and Zahid in one over to enable FATA to tighten their grip on the game.

Zahid hit two sixes and one four from 25 balls. Sohail cracked four fours from 18 balls.

Young Shadab Khan (17) hit two sixes from eight balls before being run out by Aamer Yamin.

Earlier, left-arm spinner Asif Ali (4-20) blew Rawalpindi’s top order, reducing them to 60-5 in 9.3 overs.

Fawad was declared man-of-the-match.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made some alteration in the schedule following instructions from the law-enforcing agencies not to hold matches on Sunday as they would not be able to provide security cover due to their engagements elsewhere.

On Thursday night, Lahore Whites crushed Lahore Blues by nine wickets.

Salman Butt (84*) and skipper Kamran Akmal (81) scored 163 for the opening stand to help Lahore Whites to chase the 183-run target in 16.3 overs after losing just one wicket.

Former Pakistan captain Butt smacked two sixes and 13 fours from 55 balls. Kamran banged two sixes and 11 fours from 40 deliveries.

Naved Yasin (53) and Test discard Nasir Jamshed (46) had guided Lahore Blues to 182-5. Naved smashed six fours and a six from 40 balls. Nasir hammered two sixes and seven fours in his ferocious 20-ball feat.

Nauman Anwar (28), Saad Nasim (26*) and Ahmed Shehzad (19) were the other notable contributors. Medium-pacer Ammad Butt got 3-34 from four overs.