GUJRANWALA: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) comfortably beat Pakistan Television (PTV) by 71 runs in the second semi-final of the President’s Cup at the Jinnah Stadium in Gujranwala on Monday night.

SBP face defending champions Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) in the final on Wednesday at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.

After electing to bat first, SBP amassed a huge 342 for nine in the stipulated overs as middle-order batters Rameez Aziz (57) and Mohammad Irfan Khan (56) struck half-centuries. Sirajuddin cracked a 25-ball 47 not out while openers Mohammad Faizan (46) and Imran Butt (43) also made useful contributions. Amad Butt, Aqib Liaqat and Mohammad Hasnain claimed two wickets each for PTV.

PTV, in reply, started off well and at one stage were 142-1 with Sahibzada Farhan (75) and opener Imam-ul-Haq (63) at the crease. However, an impressive comeback by SBP bowlers stopped the PTV advance who despite a whirlwind 34-ball 66 from Faheem Ashraf ended well short of the target. Niaz Khan and Kashif Bhatti picked up three wickets apiece.

In the first semi-final held at the same venue on Sunday, Rizwan Mehmood struck his maiden List-A century as SNGPL overwhelmed Wapda by 74 runs.

Chasing a massive 334, Wapda were bundled out for 259 in 45.3 overs.

Fighting half-centuries from opener Mohammad Arif (61) and number eight batter Khalid Usman (73 off 67) proved insufficient as Bilawal Bhatti, Hasan Nawaz and Hasan Rizwan earned a couple of wickets each.

Earlier after being put into bat, SNGPL amassed a huge 333-6 in the allotted overs.

The 20-year old Rizwan smashed an unbeaten 136 off 114 balls with the help of 14 fours and a six. Hasan Rizwan (55), Hasan Nawaz (46) and Saad Masood (44 not out) were the other notable scorers for SNGPL.

Ali Raza took two wickets for Wapda but gave away 86 runs in his 10-over quota.

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2024