Iftikhar ton helps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa post 323

KARACHI: Test cricketer Iftikhar Ahmed slammed a superb unbeaten 138 to enable Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to set a stiff target of 324 for Balochistan in their day-night outing of the Pakistan Cup 2017 National One-day Cricket Championship at the Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi on Saturday.

Iftikhar, who played a Test against England last year, shared 127 off 126 balls for the second wicket with left-hander Mohammad Naeem (80) to set a solid foundation for a huge total on a wicket which had nothing for the bowlers.

Spinner Agha Salman, finally, broke the partnership when he bowled Naeem in the 29th over. Naeem, who had been inducted into the side in place of former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, played sensibly, hammering eight fours from 75 deliveries. Naeem’s 50 came off 53 balls. KP were in a commanding position at 172-2.

Iftikhar shared 90 runs off 80 deliveries for the third wicket with skipper Mohammad Rizwan (56) before the international stumper was bowled by medium-pacer Aamer Yamin after he had hit seven fours in his fine 46-ball knock.

Iftikhar then used long handle, plundering runs rapidly in the death overs to guide KP to 323-5 in the allotted 50 overs.

Iftikhar completed his well-deserved century off 111 deliveries when in the 46th over he hit fast bowler Azizullah for a glorious six.

Iftikhar, who brought in his fifty from 58 balls, hammered six sixes and as many fours in his fantastic knock.

After opting to bat first when Mohammad Rizwan won the toss, Naeem and young Imran Butt (25) provided a 45-run opening stand to KP before the latter got run out when Fakhar Zaman’s direct throw crashed the stumps. Umpire Shozab Raza fell on his back when he tried to prevent himself from the ball that deflected towards him after hitting the stumps.

Lahore-born Imran hammered two fours from 29 deliveries. Azizullah was the most successful bowler as he captured 2-75. Aamer Yamin (1-63) and Agha Salman (1-51) were the others who showed some promise on the dead track.

In the first ten overs KP were 54-1, 111-1 in 20, 178-2 in 30, 244-2 in 40 and they brought in 79 runs in the last ten overs.

Riazuddin and Shozab Raza were supervising the game that began at 4pm as per the revised timings as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has opted to start the matches late due to oppressive weather in Rawalpindi.

Till filing of the story Balochistan were 65 without loss in 8.4 overs.

In the five-team event Balochistan are the only side who have won both their matches. Sindh, KP and Federal Areas have won one match each after appearing in two meetings each.

The leading two sides will play in the April 29 final.

The national selection committee is monitoring the performance of the players keeping in view the selection of the Pakistan’s one-day squad for the Champions Trophy to be held in England this summer.