Sindh beat Federal Areas despite Haris’s ton

KARACHI: Haris Shoail’s fine century went in vain as Sindh overwhelmed Federal Areas by 44 runs on D/L method after rain hit the day-night game of the Pakistan Cup 2017 National One-day Cricket Championship at Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi on Thursday.

Chasing 285, when Sindh had reached 157-1 in 26.2 overs, the game was stopped due to rain and ultimately it was decided on D/L method in favour of Sindh who were batting well.

When the game was halted Asif Zakir was batting on 54. At the other end was Akbar-ur-Rehman on 43.

Earlier, Federal Areas overcame the early collapse to accumulate a fighting total of 284-7 in the stipulated 50 overs with Haris Sohail scoring 117 off 116 deliveries, his maiden ton in this form of cricket.

This was the first win from Sindh after two outings. Federal Areas tasted their first defeat from two matches of the five-team event being played under a single league system.

After opting to bat first, Federal Areas had a disastrous start on a pitch which supported fast bowlers with the new ball.

Left-arm young pacer Mir Hamza had left-handed Test opener Sami Aslam (7). Test-discard Umar Gul got rid of in-form Abid Ali (2) to leave Federal Areas reeling at 17-2 in six overs. The well-pitched delivery from Gul came in a bit and the young right-hander edged it with the stumper Mohammad Hassan taking a superb catch, diving full-length towards his left.

At this stage, Haris and Mohammad Hafeez (23) tried to revive the innings, adding 59 runs for the third wicket off 80 deliveries. Hafeez, who survived a hard chance when on nought, edged a delivery from Anwar Ali to keeper Hassan, who took a brilliant catch while leaping towards his right.

Hafeez, who had hit a century in the first game against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, struck one six in his 41-ball innings.

Haris, who played some elegant strokes, shared 58 runs for the fourth wicket with young Hussain Talat (26) to consolidate the innings. Talat was caught by Asif Zakir off Anwar Ali, after he had smacked one four from 38 deliveries.

Haris added a rapid 47 off 25 balls for the fifth wicket with skipper Imad Wasim (17), who hammered two fours from 20 deliveries.

When Mir Hamza removed Imad, Federal Areas were 181-5 in 38 overs. All-rounder Zohaib Ahmed contributed a fine run-a-ball 19 with two fours before he was held in the deep by Usama Mir off left-arm international spinner Mohammad Nawaz.

Haris, who scored his century off 108 balls, fell in the 46th over, held in the deep by Khurram Manzoor off the bowling of Umar Gul.

Haris, whose previous best in List A games was 99, smashed ten fours and four marvellous sixes.

Rookie all-rounder Hassan Khan (28*) and Sohail Khan (29*) played aggressively, adding 47 off 25 balls for the eighth wicket unbroken stand to take Federal Areas to a fighting total.

Sohail smashed three fours and two sixes from only 15 balls. Hassan smacked three fours and one six from just 20 deliveries.

Mir Hamza (2-53), Gul (2-62) and Anwar (2-51) bowled well.

In reply, Sindh had a flying start as Test-discard Khurram Manzoor (51) and Asif Zakir (54*) set a solid foundation by scoring 69 runs in 8.3 overs for the opening stand. Khurram, who was stumped by Abid Ali off Hassan Khan, hit two sixes and six fours in his 30-ball fire-work.

Accomplished batsman Akbar-ur-Rehman (43*) joined Asif and when both took Sindh’s total to 157-1 in 26.2 overs the game was stopped due to rain.

The duo added 88 runs for the second wicket. Asif had struck six fours from 67 deliveries, while Akbar had cracked four fours from 61 balls.

Hassan Khan (1-20) got the only wicket that fell. Haris was declared the man of the match. Asif Yaqoob and Rashid Riaz supervised the match. Imtiaz Iqbal was the television umpire, Iqbal Sheikh the match referee and Aslam Bareach the reserve umpire.

No match will be held on Friday (today). On Saturday (tomorrow) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will face Balochistan.