Sami, Imad power Federal Area to beat Balochistan in Pakistan Cup

ISLAMABAD: A dominant score (169) by opener Sami Aslam and equally good all-rounder display by skipper Imad Wasim cantered Federal Area team to four wickets win against Balochistan in the Pakistan Cup one-day Tournament at the Pindi Stadium on Wednesday.

Chasing a mammoth 376 for victory, Federal Area reached home in 47th over with four wickets in hand. With the victory, second in the tournament, Islamabad kept their chances of making it to the final alive. In case of Punjab win against Sindh on Thursday, the final would be between Balochistan and Federal Area. However, if Sindh win the last match of the round robin league, they will play final against Balochistan.  In a high scoring game on Wednesday, Sami Aslam struck 17 fours and two sixes during his 126-ball knock. Imad who earlier had bowled brilliantly conceding just 35 runs of his 10 overs on a placid pitch, followed it up with 69 not out to help Federal Area carried the day in immaculate fashion.

Earlier, Balochistan team that already were assured of a place in the final raised 375 for 7 in allotted 75 overs with century coming from skipper Farukh Zaman (104). He struck 15 fours and two sixes during his 83-ball stay at the wicket.

Sahibzada Farhan (54) also played well as both put on 119 runs for the open wicket for Balochistan. Sohail Khan (2-83) and Ehsan Adil (2-80) proved too expensive for Federal Area.

Score in brief: Balochistan 375 for 5 in 50 overs (Farukh Zaman 104, Agha Salman 52, Sahibzada Farhan 54, Imad Wasim 1-35, Sohail Khan 2-83) Federal Area 378 for 6 in 47.2 overs ( Sami Aslam 169, Imad Waseem 69 not out, Mohammad Hafeez 68, Zohaib Ahmad 34, Rameez Aziz 2-38).

Man of the Match: Sami Aslam