Balochistan set tough target for Federal Areas

KARACHI: Skipper Fakhar Zaman slammed a splendid 104 off 81 balls to enable Balochistan to set a stiff 376-run target for Federal Areas in their last round game of the Pakistan Cup 2017 National One-day Cricket Championship at the Pindi Stadium, Rawalpindi, on Wednesday.

Federal Areas, in response, were 161-2 in 21 overs till filing of this report with Sami Aslam batting on 87 in which he had hammered 11 fours and two sixes.

After opting to bat first on a placid track, Fakhar led the onslaught, scoring 119 off 106 balls for the opening partnership with Sahibzada Farhan, who chipped in with a fine 50-ball 54 before being removed by spinner Mohammad Irfan. The ball spun away from the right-handed batsman, Farhan went for a slog against the spin but failed to clear the deep mid-on fielder Sohail Khan, who took a comfortable catch. Charsadda-born Farhan hammered six fours and one six in his fourth successive fifty in the event.

Hard-hitting international Sohaib Maqsood (42) and Fakhar shared 69 off 53 balls for the second wicket stand to pave the way for a huge total.

Imad Wasim broke the partnership when he had Fakhar caught by Hassan Khan after the Mardan-born left-hander had smacked 15 fours and two sixes.

Fakhar’s fifty had come off 42 balls and 100 off 77 balls.

In the previous three matches, too, Fakhar had scored fifties. Fakhar, who is part of Pakistan’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy to be held in England later this summer, was in elegant touch. The youngster hit Test pacer Sohail Khan for five successive fours in the second over of the innings.

Agha Salman (52) came in but soon afterwards Sohaib lost his wicket. He hammered two fours and one huge six in his rapid 43-ball effort.

Agha and Taiumur Khan (42) built the score by accumulating 71 off 62 deliveries for the fourth wicket.

Agha was the next man out, held by keeper Abid Ali off Test pacer Ehsan Adil. He hammered four fours and one six in his quick-fire 44-ball knock.

Agha’s fifty came off just 40 balls. When Agha fell, Balochistan were 296-4 in the 43rd over.

Sohail got rid of Aamer Yamin (8) and Taiumur in quick succession before Ehsan Adil removed Sohail Tanvir (5) to leave Balochistan at 320-7 in the 47th over.

Taimur smashed three sixes and one four in his 45-ball knock.

Rameez Aziz (39*) and wicket-keeper Bismillah Khan (20) went after the bowlers and scored 55 off just 22 balls for the eighth wicket unbroken association. Their score was the highest of the five-team event so far.

Balochistan scored 59-0 in ten overs, were 139-1 in 20, 211-2 in 30, and 269-3 in 40. They scored 106 in the last ten overs.

Sohail (2-83), Ehsan (2-80) and Irfan (2-58) toiled hard on the dead track.

Khalid Mehmood and Shozab Raza were supervising the match.

On Thursday (today), Sindh face Punjab in their last league outing, which will begin at 4pm. If Federal Areas lose against Balochistan, Sindh will qualify for the final.

If Federal Areas win, Sindh’s fate will be decided by their outing against Punjab on Thursday (today). Balochistan have already qualified for the April 29 final.