KARACHI Salman Butt blasted a dazzling unconquered century to spearhead title favorites Punjab Stallions to their third successive win when they beat the Balochistan Bears by six wickets in the Pentangular Cup One-day Cricket Tournament at National Stadium Karachi on Wednesday.

 

The Pakistan opener, batting at number three, smashed ten boundaries in his 93-ball 108. His 130-run fourth wicket stand with Kamran Akmal steered the Stallions to victory with nine balls to spare.
 
Kamran struck three fours and as many sixes in his unbeaten 48 off a mere 29 deliveries.
 
The Punjab Stallions chasing 285 for victory made a shaky start losing openers Azhar Ali (9) and Nasir Jamshed (3) with 25 runs on the board. Umar Akmal then went after making seven. However Salman and Kamrans stand tilted the match in Stallions favor.
 
Earlier inserted to bat, the Bears constructed 284 for the loss of four wickets in their 50 overs.
 
Saeed Bin Nasir top-scored for the Bears with an unbeaten 97 off 89 balls, hitting 11 boundaries and one six.
 
Skipper Misbah- ul-Haq made 49 in 47 balls with four boundaries and a six and added 113-runs for the fourth wicket with Saeed to set a challenging total for Stallions.
 
Scoreboard Baluchistan Bears Innings
Muhammad hafeez run out 46
Shoaib Khan c Mansoor b Malik 36
Saeed Anwar Jr. c Umar b Malik 26
Saeed Bin Nasir not out 97
Misbah-ul-Haq c Umar b Wahab 49
Kamran Hussain not out 10
Total 284 for 4 (50 overs) Extras 21 (B-11, W-6, NB_4)   
 
Bowling
sarfraz Ahmed   10-038-0
Muhammad Talha 10-0-63-0(1nb)
Wahab Riaz      6.4-0-62-1 (2nb)
Shoaib Malik    10-1-37-2 (2w)
Abdul Rehman    10-0-44-0 (1w)
Mansoor Amjad   3.2-0-29-1
 
Punjab Stallions Innings
Azhar Ali c Gulraiz b Rauf 9
Nasir Jamshed c yasir b Kamran 3
Salman Butt not out 109
Kamran Akmal not out 48
Total 285 for 4 (48.3) Extras 3 (Lb-2, W-1)
 
Bowling
Abdul Rauf      10-0-58-1
Kamran Hussain  9.3-0-49-1 
Yasir Ali       5-0-37-1
Muhammad hafeez 8-0-50-0 (1w)
Danish Kaneria  10-0-53-1
Saeed Anwar Jr. 6-0-38-0
 
Umpires Iqbal Butt & Zameer Haider Match Referee Anwar Khan.

Opinion

First line of defence

First line of defence

Pakistan’s foreign service has long needed reform to be able to adapt to global changes and leverage opportunities in a more multipolar world.

Editorial

Eid amidst crises
Updated 31 Mar, 2025

Eid amidst crises

Until the Muslim world takes practical steps to end these atrocities, these besieged populations will see no joy.
Women’s rights
31 Mar, 2025

Women’s rights

PAKISTAN’S legal system has issued some important rulings in recent days concerning women, which deserve more...
Not helping
31 Mar, 2025

Not helping

THE continued detention of Baloch Yakjehti Committee leaders — including Dr Mahrang Baloch in Quetta and Sammi ...
Hard habits
Updated 30 Mar, 2025

Hard habits

Their job is to ensure that social pressures do not build to the point where problems like militancy and terrorism become a national headache.
Dreams of gold
30 Mar, 2025

Dreams of gold

PROSPECTS of the Reko Diq project taking off soon seem to have brightened lately following the completion of the...
No invitation
30 Mar, 2025

No invitation

FOR all of Pakistan’s hockey struggles, including their failure to qualify for the Olympics and World Cup as well...