Islamabad reach disabled T20 final

RAWALPINDI: Middle order batsman Shafiq Ahmed hit up 74 while spinners Waqaf Shah and Malik Kashif shared seven wickets between them to help Islamabad beat Peshawar by 42 runs in the second semi-final of the 6th National Disabled T20 Cricket Championship here at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Friday, says a press release.

Islamabad will now meet two times defending champions Multan in the final in Karachi. Multan have already booked their place in the final after defeating Karachi in the first semi-final of the event held in Karachi in January.

Peshawar won the toss and decided to field first. Islamabad posted a decent total of 139-9 in 20 overs. Shafiq Khan (74), Ali Abbas (17) and Adil Abbasi (15) were the main batsmen.

Abdullah Afridi (3-17) Nihar Alam (2-11) bowled well for Peshawar.

In reply, Peshawar were bundled out for 97 in 16.5 overs. Abdullah Afridi (18), Nihar Alam (16) and Sareer Ullah (15) were the only batsmen who reached the double figures.

Waqaf Shah (4-24), Malik Kashif (3-10) and Himayat Khan (2-15) were the wicket-takers for Islamabad.

Chief guest AIG General Islamabad Farrukh Rasheed distributed prizes among the players and officials.

Scores in brief: Islamabad 139-9 in 20 overs (Shafiq Khan 74, Ali Abbas 17, Adil Abbasi 15; Abdullah Afridi 3-17, Nihar Alam 2-11). Peshawar 97-10 in 16.5 overs (Abdullah Afridi 18, Nihar Alam 16, Sareer Ullah 15; Waqaf Shah 4-24, Malik Kashif 3-10, Himayat Khan 2-15). Men of the match: Waqaf Shah and Shafiq Khan (Islamabad).