Federal-Punjab match abandoned, Balochistan in final

KARACHI: The crucial day-night game of the Pakistan Cup 2017 between Federal Areas and Punjab was abandoned due to rain at the Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi on Sunday with both sides taking one point each.

On Saturday night Balochistan qualified for the final when they romped to their third straight win when they defeated Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by four runs on D/L method after rain interrupted the show.

In the Sunday game, Federal Areas had reached 236-4 in 38.2 overs against Umar Akmal-led Punjab after being invited to bat when rain stopped the game. The result means Punjab are now out of the race as they have only one point with a single match in hand. Federal Areas moved to three points. The hall-mark of the Federal Areas’ innings was fine fifties from former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez (65) and Haris Sohail (60).

The duo added 114 runs for the third wicket to boost Federal Areas’ chances of scoring a big total on a wicket on which the bowlers, particularly the pacers, had to toil hard.

Part-time spinner Khushdil Shah broke the threatening partnership when he had Hafeez, who hammered one six and six fours in his calculated 77-ball knock. Hafeez, who had scored a superb century earlier in this event, moved his personal tally in the event to 211.

Off-spinner Bilal Asif dismissed Haris, with the left-hander taking his personal run-tally to 233 at the summit. The Sialkot-born batsman, who missed several international events due to a knee surgery, smacked four fours from 64 balls.

Skipper Imad Wasim (23*) and young Hussain Talat (7*) were at the crease when rain started. Imad had hammered two sixes from 17 balls.

Test opener Sami Aslam (46) and Abid Ali (30) built a solid foundation when they scored 81 off just 59 balls for the opening stand.

Abid got out when he edged a delivery from Fahim Ashraf to stumper Kamran Akmal while coming down the wicket. He struck five fours and one six in his 31-ball knock.

In the next over, Test seamer Junaid Khan got rid of dangerous Sami, who also edged the ball to Kamran.

Sami, who had failed in the previous two outings, hit three sixes and four fours from only 31 deliveries.

Khalid Mehmood and Riazuddin supervised the match. Shozab Raza was the television umpire, Mohammad Anees the match referee and Sajid Afridi the reserve umpire.

On Saturday, Balochistan became the first team to qualify for the final, to be held on April 29, with a four-run triumph over KP on D/L method.

Chasing 324, Balochistan had reached 212-3 in 36 overs when rain stopped the game.

Balochistan moved to six points with a game yet in hand.

When rain intervened, Sohaib Maqsood (52*) and Rameez Aziz (13*) were at the crease.

Hard-hitting international Sohaib, who had failed in the previous two outings, showed some spark with the bat, hitting one six and five fours in his run-a-ball unfinished knock. Rameez struck one six from 17 balls.

Young Sahibzada Farhan (58) and skipper Fakhar Zaman (73) continued their superb run in the event as they provided a solid start to their team, scoring 116 off 112 balls.

Left-arm spinner Kashif Bhatti provided the much-needed breakthrough to KP when he had Charsadda-born Farhan, held by Waqas Maqsood.

Farhan, who hit his third successive fifty, hammered two sixes and five fours from 62 balls.

Fakhar, who also struck his third fifty, shared 40-ball 42 for the second wicket with Sohaib to consolidate the innings.

Left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar got rid of Mardan-born Fakhar, held by Test cricketer Iftikhar after the left-hander had smashed nine fours in his fine 69-ball feat.

After left-handed Saad Ali (6) fell cheaply, Sohaib and Rameez controlled the situation.

Zafar was the pick of the bowlers with 2-48 in eight overs. Kashif captured 1-24.

Test pacer Imran Khan Senior, who had claimed five wickets in the previous game, remained expensive as he conceded 46 runs in seven overs.

KP accumulated 323-5 with Iftikhar Ahmed scoring an unbeaten 138, his best score in this form of cricket. Fakhar, the skipper, was adjudged man-of-the-match for his superb batting.

Riazuddin and Shozab Raza supervised the match. Khalid Mehmmod was the television umpire, Mohammad Anees the match referee and Sajid Afridi the reserve umpire.  There will be no match on Monday (today). KP will face Sindh on Tuesday (tomorrow) at 4pm.

Points Table

Teams                 M       W       L        T        N/R     Pts

Balochistan    3        3        0        0        0        6

Federal         3        1        1        0        1        3

Sindh            2        1        1        0        0        2

KPK              3        1        2        0        0        2

Punjab          3        0        2        0        1        1