ISLAMABAD: In a scintillating power play at the Pindi Stadium Wednesday, Mukhtar Ahmad’s brilliant 117 helped Fata Region prevail over Karachi Region Whites by 19 runs to keep their slim hopes alive to progress to the knockout stages of the National T20 Cup. Mukhtar exhibited some high quality display of shots in his century to see Fata Region setting best total of 219-6 with Karachi Whites hanging on till the last to finish at 200-5 in the allotted overs. The day belonged to Man-of-the-Match Mukhtar who smashed 15 boundaries, five in one over of Tabish Khan (2-62), and six sixes during his 58-ball stay at the wicket. His powerful knock enthralled the crowd. Talented all-rounder Sohail Akhtar (39) then took over to help Fata race to 219. Khurram Manzoor (104) then came to the party, scoring second century of the match as Karachi kept up the run chase. His 51-ball century was studded with 14 boundaries and two sixes. Haris Sohail (50) with the help of three fours and two sixes also played well but was unable to take his team home. Pacers Sameen Gul (2-26) and Hammad Azam (2-30) bowled well for Fata. Meanwhile, Lahore Blues also joined their sister team Lahore Whites in the semi-finals with five wickets win over Islamabad. The capital team now have been left with very remote chances of making it to the semi-finals. Shan Masood (103 not out) scored day’s third century as Islamabad hit up 174-3. Then it was left to Ahmad Shahzad (79) and Hussain Talat (41) to help Lahore Blues reach the total with eight balls to spare. Some erratic bowling by Islamabad bowlers helped Lahore cause. Scores in brief: Fata Region 219-6 in 20 overs (Mukhtar Ahmed 117, Sohail Akhtar 39, Nabi Gul 22; Anwar Ali 2-51, Tabish Khan 2-62, Rumman Raees 1-29, Zulfiqar Babar 1-40) v Karachi Whites 200-5 in 20 overs (Khurram Manzoor 104, Haris Sohail 50; Sameen Gul 2-26, Hammad Azam 2-30). Lahore Blues beat Islamabad by five wickets: Islamabad Region 174-3 in 20 overs (Shan Masood 103 not out, Rohail Nazir 33, Faizan Riaz 19 not out; Khalid Usman 2-32, Aizaz Cheema 1-38) v Lahore Blues 177-5 in 18.4 overs (Ahmed Shehzad 79, Hussain Tallat 41; Muhammad Irfan 1-18, Hasan Raza 1-22, Umar Gul 1-31, Arsal Shaikh 1-33).
