KARACHI: Central Punjab sealed their spot in the Pakistan Cup semi-finals after thrashed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by 113 runs here at the National Bank Sports Complex on Tuesday.

The remaining three spots for semis are still up for grabs with the final round of matches of the league stage to be played on Thursday.

The defeat against Central Punjab left Khyber Pakhtunkhwa third in the Cup standings, equal on points with Balochistan, who were second after beating Northern by 110 runs at the UBL Sports Complex.

Northern and Sindh, who fell to Southern Punjab by four wickets, are equal on points with eight but the latter is placed fourth, right above the former.

Central Punjab’s convincing victory was down to Usama Mir’s all-round show. After Ahmed Shehzad (71 off 91 balls, nine fours) and Qasim Akram (58 off 62 balls, five fours and a six) lead the side to 315-8, Usama Mir took five wickets, giving away only 45 runs to bowl Khyber Pakhtunkhwa out for 202 with more than 10 overs to spare.

For the former champions, Iftikhar Ahmed’s 66 and Fakhar Zaman’s 52 were the best contributions with the bat. Usama had earlier scored a 15-ball cameo for 29 with the help of a boundary and three sixes.

Balochistan’s victory, too, was boosted by a big first-innings score. The defending champions posted 387-7 before bowling out Northern for 277.

Haris Sohail slapped six fours and four sixes in a 61-ball 92 while Abdul Wahid Bangalzai scored a 70-ball 88 with six fours and five sixes, Imran Butt struck 11 fours in his 83 and Haseebullah smashed 59 off 55 to put Balochistan in a strong position.

Northern failed to maintain the required run-rate of 7.76 and eventually collapsed in 47.3 overs despite half-centuries by Umair Masood (51) and Umar Akmal (51). Kashif Bhatti was the pick of Balochistan bowlers with 4-48, while Amad Butt and Mohammad Junaid took two wickets apiece.

Southern Punjab faced little challenge in disposing off Sindh. Batting first, Sindh were dismissed for 171 in 47.2 overs with Mohammad Suleman (62) and Danish Aziz (36) being their notable scorers.

Southern Punjab opener Mohammad Shehzad led their run-chase, belting five fours and four sixes in his 96-ball knock for 85, assisting his team in crossing the finish line with nearly 15 overs and four wickets to spare.

Summarised scores:

Southern Punjab beat Sindh by four wickets at State Bank Stadium

SINDH 171 in 47.2 overs (Mohammad Suleman 62, Danish Aziz 36; Mohammad Ilyas 2-18); SOUTHERN PUNJAB 172-6 in 35.1 overs (Mohammad Shehzad 85, Usman Salahuddin 34; Shahnawaz Dahani 3-66)

Balochistan beat Northern by 110 runs at UBL Sports Complex

BALOCHISTAN 387-7 in 50 overs (Haris Sohail 92, Abdul Wahid Bangalzai 88; Musa Khan 3-83); NORTHERN 277 in 47.3 overs (Umair Masood 51, Umar Akmal 51 Kashif Bhatti 4-48)

Central Punjab beat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by 113 runs at NBP Sports Complex

CENTRAL PUNJAB 315-8 in 50 overs (Ahmed Shehzad 71, Qasim Akram 58; Mohammad Amir Khan 2-51); KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA 202 in 39.1 overs (Iftikhar Ahmed 66, Fakhar Zaman 52; Usama Mir 5-42)

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2022