Khushdil cracks ton as KP reach Pakistan Cup final

KARACHI: Khushdil Shah slammed his second century of the tournament to enable Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to make it to the final when they put Sindh out of the event after inflicting a nine-run defeat on them in their last day-night outing of the Pakistan Cup at Pindi Stadium, Rawalpindi on Tuesday.

The outcome also helped Balochistan qualify for the final. KP finished the league with seven points, while Balochistan have five points with a game still in hand. The final will be held on April 12.

Khushdil, the 24-year-old left-handed batsman from tribal belt, scored 100 off 66 balls to help KP pile-up 300 all out in 50 overs.

In response, Sindh were restricted to 291-9 thanks to spinner Zohaib Khan’s excellent bowling who finished with 3-50 in nine overs. Sindh needed 14 off the last over from Umaid Asif. The lanky right-armer conceded only four runs with well-set Imran Rafiq (61*) failing to turn his innings memorable.

After being invited to bat, KP at one stage were 120-4 in the 27th over. Khushdil, who also has to his credit a 154 not out in this event, single-handedly took his side to a fighting total in the end. The lower middle order and tail-enders gave ample assistance to Khushdil who punished every bowler with impeccable ease.

He hit five sixes and eight fours in his eighth List A century. Khushdil was given good support by Test cricketer Sohail Khan (22) as the duo put on 67 for the eighth wicket association. Sohail hit two sixes from 20 balls.

Earlier, KP had a poor start when discarded Test pacer Umar Gul bowled skipper Salman Butt (4) after the former Pakistan’s captain had struck one four from five balls he faced.

Test seamer Junaid Khan then got rid of Abid Ali (16) when he was held by Asif Ali at mid-on. Abid, who hit century on his debut in the One-day International against Australia recently in the UAE, smacked two fours from 34 balls.

Adil Amin (23) and Mohammad Saad (69) then tried to rebuild the innings but spinner Nauman Ali had the former to add to the msiery of KP. Adil hit one six and two fours from 31 balls. Wahab Riaz (18) was promoted but he also failed to play a big innings. Wahab was held in sensational way off Hammad Azam when Umar Amin held the ball just over the boundary line and threw it to Asif Ali, while leaping in the air. Wahab hammered two fours from 17 balls.

Medium-pacer Mohammad Ilyas then had well-set Mohammad Saad to dent KP’s chances of posting a huge total.

Saad smashed six fours and one six from 84 deliveries. KP were 143-5 in the 32nd over.

Hammad Azam (3-60 in 10) and Ilyas (3-66 in 10) were the successful bowlers.

In response, Sindh lost a couple of quick wickets. However, Umar Siddiq (69) and Umar Amin (32) added 68 for the third wicket stand before spinner Zohaib Khan getting the key wicket of the former.

Siddiq smashed ten fours from 65 balls. Soon afterwards, Zohaib also had Umar Amin to leave Sindh reeling at 151-4 in 29.1 overs. Umar smacked two fours from 48 deliveries.

Asif Ali then used long handle before he was trapped leg before wicket off Umaid Asif for 33-ball 42. He smashed five fours and one six in his rapid knock. Imran Rafiq and Hammad Azam then added crucial 42 runs for the sixth wicket stand to keep their team afloat.

However, Zohaib got the prized scalp of Hammad who hit 17-ball 23 with three fours to tilt the pendulum in favour of KP. Nauman Ali (15) then gave some support to Imran Rafiq before Wahab Riaz clean bowled the former with a yorker to bring his side near a much-needed victory. Wahab then had Umar Gul (1) in the penultimate over before Ilyas (1) got run out in the final over. Imran Rafiq hammered eight fours in his fine 69-ball effort.

Zaohib was ably backed by Wahab (2-46 in 10) and Umaid (2-56 in 8).

Khushdil was declared Man of the Match. Mohammad Sajid and Asif Yaqoob supervised the match after Tahir Rasheed decided to pull out due to personal reasons. On Wednesday (today), Federal Areas will face Balochistan.