Babar, Shan power Islamabad into final

ISLAMABAD: Shan Masood (182 not out) and Babar Azam (136) put Islamabad into the final of the National One-Day Cup for Regions following a 13-run victory over Rawalpindi at the Pindi Stadium on Friday.

On a day when batsmen went on a run rampage, Islamabad amassed 380-2 with Rawalpindi, courtesy to 123 runs from Iftikhar Ahmad, falling just 14 runs short of the target.

The day however belonged to Islamabad’s two seasoned campaigners Shan and Babar who first started milking opponents’ bowling and then put icing on the cake with fiery stuff to add some quick runs late in the innings.

Shan, who has taken his overall tournament score to 605 (the highest so far), was dropped early on and when he reached his hundred he was caught off a no ball delivered by Attaullah. From there on he never looked back smashing 20 boundaries and one six in his unbeaten 153-ball knock.

Babar Azam, who was playing his first match of the tournament, started slowly but once he settled down he hit the ball all around. Babar hammered five sixes and 13 boundaries during his 106-ball stay at the wicket. Both started the marathon second wicket partnership when Abid Ali (36) lost his wicket to a miscue hook. The total score at that time was 71.

Rawalpindi were given a ray of hope when Iftikhar Ahmad (123) and Saud Shakil (70) put on 146 runs stand in the fourth wicket but the high run-rate pressure kept batsmen out of mind.Rawalpindi were placed at 311-5 in 44 overs when they lost some quick wickets, including that of century maker Iftikhar, to end up at 367-9 in 50 overs. Iftikhar’s 110-ball knock was studded with four sixes and ten boundaries.

Rawalpindi skipper Mohammad Hafeez (48) and Umair Masood (50 not out) were other notable run-getters. Hamza Nadeem (3-85) and Nauman Ali (2-81) though were too expensive but succeeded in taking wickets for Islamabad.

Islamabad will now face Karachi Whites in the final at the Pindi Cricket Stadium tomorrow (Sunday).Scores in brief: Islamabad Region 380-2 in 50 overs (Shan Masood 182 not out, Babar Azam 136, Abid Ali 36; Saad Altaf 1-62, Yasir Ali 1-80). Rawalpindi Region 367-9 in 50 overs (Iftikhar Ahmed 123, Saud Shakil 70, Umair Masood 50 not out, Mohammad Hafeez 48, Zeeshan Malik 31; Hamza Nadeem 3-85, Nouman Ali 2-81).