RAWALPINDI: An unbeaten half-century by in-form Shan Masood helped Balochistan overcome Sindh by five wickets while skipper Salman Ali Agha’s maiden five-wicket haul steered Southern Punjab to a massive 86-run victory over Central Punjab in the Kingdom Valley National T20 Cup here at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.

In the first match of the day, left-handed Shan continued his impressive form as his 39-ball 53 not out handed Balochistan the victory which was the first for a chasing side at the ongoing National T20 Cup.

Shan, who was named player-of-the-match, walked in the middle with Balochistan needing 103 runs in 14.3 overs after the dismissal of second opener Asad Shafiq (17 off 14) and displayed some fabulous strokeplay, hitting four fours and two sixes. The shot of the innings came when he reverse-swept Zahid Mehmood for a six that sailed over point.

Following quick wickets of Haris Sohail (10) and Hussain Talat (2) in the 15th and 16th over, Shan got the desired support from Amad Butt, who spanked three fours and a six in his 12-ball 25 not out.

Earlier Sindh, following their captain Saud Shakeel’s decision to bat, posted 142-7 with Saad Khan (31 off 27) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (29 off 23) being the notable performers with the bat.

Balochistan put up a disciplined bowling performance with captain Yasir Shah, left-arm orthodox spinner Kashif Bhatti and pacer Khurram Shahzad picking up two wickets each.

In the second match of the day, Southern Punjab simply outplayed Central Punjab who were dismissed for mere 79 in 14.3 overs thanks to a terrific show by off-spinner Salman.

Southern’s opener Zain Abbas smashed 65 off 44 (10 fours) helped his team reach gave Central Punjab a 166-run target.

Southern Punjab made 165-8 after Salman elected to bat first. Sharoon Siraj continued to add crucial runs in the middle, scoring 35 off 24. In the last two matches, he made 57 not out against Balochistan and 36 against Sindh.

Central Punjab openers Abdullah Shafique and Ahmed Shehzad once again failed as the latter was run out in the third over, but it was the seventh over that settled the match for Southern Punjab when Salman dismissed his opposite number Qasim Akram and Abdullah in a space of three balls. The scorecard, at the time, read 34-5.

Salman, in his next over, sent Irfan Niaz and Junaid Ali back to the pavilion on back-to-back deliveries, and dismissed Wahab Riaz in the 11th over as Central Punjab slumped further to 51-8.

There was no notable resistance from any Central Punjab batter as Usama Mir (17 off 13) top-scored for them.

Summarised scores:

SINDH 142-7 in 20 overs (Saad Khan 31, Sarfaraz Ahmed 29; Yasir Shah 2-23, Kashif Bhatti 2-23, Khurram Shahzad 2-27); BALOCHISTAN 143-5 in 18.5 overs (Shan Masood 53 not out, Amad Butt 25 not out; Sohail Khan 2-35)

SOUTHERN PUNJAB 165-8 in 20 overs (Zain Abbas 65, Sharoon Siraj 35; Ahmed Daniyal 3-27, Wahab Riaz 2-37); CENTRAL PUNJAB 79 in 14.3 overs (Salman Ali Agha 5-10).

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2022