Federal Areas to meet Balochistan in final today

KARACHI: Federal Areas set final date with Balochistan when Punjab defeated Sindh by 40 runs in their last league outing of the Pakistan Cup 2017 at the Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi on Thursday night.

The final will be held on Saturday (today).

Emerging all-rounder Fahim Ashraf played a key role as he produced his career-best figures of 5-45 in8.4 overs to enable Punjab to dismiss Sindh for 297 in 47.4 overs while chasing a stiff target of 338.

After Fahim got rid of openers Asif Zakir (3) and Khurram Manzoor (24) in quick succession, Akbar-ur-Rehman (83) took the whole batting burden on his shoulders.

The right-hander put on 71 off 103 balls for the third wicket with Fawad Alam (32), who scored a quick-fire century in the first match of the event but failed to keep his flow.

Fawad, who got run out, smashed one four in his 47-ball knock.

Akbar, who was timing the ball extremely well, shared 75 off 58 deliveries for the fourth wicket with Mohammad Nawaz (37), who hammered two fours and one six from 34 deliveries.

After that Sindh failed to build any solid partnership that brought them under immense pressure.

Akbar smashed six fours and two sixes in his spectacular 92-ball knock. Young Saif Badar made a valuable contribution of 38 off just 27 balls, hitting three fours.

Mir Hamza, who had bowled extremely well, showed glimpses of his batting skills, smacking 20 off 11 balls. Mir cracked one four and two sixes in his entertaining knock.

Khurram, who had smashed an explosive century in the previous outing, failed to play a major innings. He struck five fours from 22 balls.

Young spinner Arsal Sheikh conceded 31 runs in only three overs.

Punjab had piled up 337 thanks to Umar Amin’s fine 111, his second century in the event.

Amin was adjudged man of the match.

Ahsan Raza and Riazuddin supervised the match, while Shozab Raza served as the television umpire. Aziz-ur-Rehman was the match referee and Ahmed Shahab the reserve umpire.