MULTAN: Opener Abdullah Fazal struck a belligerent century to help Karachi Region Blues to a 16-run victory over Peshawar Region in their National T20 Cup Group ‘A’ match at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

After being sent in to bat, Karachi Blues totalled a huge 183-3 off the stipulated overs thanks to the 22-year-old Abdullah’s heroics with the bat.

The left-hander cracked a 61-ball 103 – his first century in T20 format -- while smashing 11 fours and three sixes. Fellow opener Jahanzaib Sultan made a 20-ball 30 laced with three fours and two sixes.

In reply, Peshawar could manage to post 167-9 in their 20 overs. This victory kept Karachi Blues unbeaten in the ongoing event.

Earlier after electing to bat first, Quetta posted a moderate score with useful contributions from Mohammad Ibrahim Sr (27 off 26), Shamraiz Khan (25 off 24) and Yasir Khan (21 off 20). Pacer Shahnawaz Dahani claimed four wickets for 17 runs.

Opener Sahibzada Farhan 62 off 48 balls with the help of seven fours and three sixes while Mohammad Amir Barki (34 off 13) but the rest of the batters could not make enough contribution.

Fahad Amin picked up three wickets for 37 while Mohammad Hamza and Aarish Ali Khan took a brace each.

Abdullah was named man-of-the-match for making a sparkling century.

In another Group ‘A’ match held at the Multan Cricket Stadium, Quetta Region defeated Larkana Region by 15 runs in a low-scoring affair.Chasing a moderate 130, Larkana lost half their side for 70 before adding 44 more runs to their total to end at 114-7. Najeebullah Achakzai and Abdul Wahid Bangalzai bagged two wickets each.

Bangalzai earned the player-of-the-match award.

Opener Shamyl Hussain’s aggressive 75 and Umair Khan’s four-wicket haul steered Islamabad Region to a 36-run victory over Bahawalpur Region in their Group ‘B’ match at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Shamyl, who was named player-of-the-match, struck seven fours and one six in his 54-ball undefeated stay on the crease to help Islamabad reach a fighting total. Hammad Siddique made a 14-ball 27 not out including three sixes.

Bahawalpur lost wickets at regular intervals as they slipped to 56-5 before getting dismissed for 130 in 19.3 overs. Umair returned figures of 4-23 in 3.3 overs while Farmanullah Khan and Arsal Sheikh secured three wickets apiece.

Lahore Region Blues outclassed Dera Murad Jamali Region by eight wickets in their Group ‘B’ encounter at the Gaddafi Stadium.

After deciding to bat first, DM Jamali posted a scanty 100-8 off the stipulated overs with Fahad Hussain scoring unbeaten 36 off 23 balls. Nisar Ahmed and captain Hussain Talat picked up two wickets each.

In response, opening batter Umair Siddiq (35-ball 42) and Hussain (24 not out off 30) added 52 runs for the third wicket as Lahore Blues raced to the target off just 14 overs while losing just two wickets.

Hussain was adjudged player-of-the-match.

Kamran Ghulam produced an impressive all-round show as Abbottabad Region comfortably beat Faisalabad Region by eight wickets in their Group ‘C’ game at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad.

Chasing 135, right-handed Kamran shared an unbeaten 132-run match-winning stand with Khayam Khan (64 not out off 46, 11 fours) as Abbottabad came home in 16.3 overs.

Earlier after opting to bat first, Faisalabad kept losing wickets at regular intervals before getting bundled out in 19.4 overs. Only opener Mohammad Faizan (30-ball 43, four fours, three sixes) made an impact while the rest struggled with the bat.

Apart from Kamran’s three wickets for 26 runs, Atizaz Habib Khan, Khalid Usman and Shahab Khan picked up two wickets each. Kamran received the player-of-the-match honours.

Opener Zeeshan Malik played a blistering unbeaten knock but missed his century by just one run to help Rawalpindi Region crush Hyderabad Region by 91 runs in their Group ‘C’ encounter at the Iqbal Stadium.

After choosing to bat first, Rawalpindi amassed 218-3 off the allotted overs, thanks to Zeeshan’s fireworks. He however was left stranded on 99 not out which he made off 58 balls hitting 11 fours and three sixes.

Skipper Mohammad Nawaz cracked 59 not out off 23 clubbing five sixes and as many boundaries while Mubasir Khan contributed a 32-ball 45 with five fours and a six.

For Hyderabad, number five batter Saad Khan (53 off 34, two fours, three sixes) offered some resistance with no support from the other end as they were bowled out for 127 in 17.2 overs. Mubasir picked up 3-19 while Saad Masood claimed two wickets for 33.

Mubasir earned the player-of-the-match award.

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2025