Lahore, 19 March 2025: Karachi Region Blues’ Abdullah Fazal became the third centurion of the Bank Alfalah Presents Inverex Solar Energy National T20 Cup 2024/25 as six matches took place across Faisalabad, Lahore and Multan late on Wednesday.
Group A – Multan
Quetta Region v Larkana Region
At the Multan Cricket Stadium, Quetta Region defeated Larkana Region by 15 runs as the latter could only manage 114-7 in 20 overs chasing 130-run target.
Quetta, who elected to bat first, were propelled to a fighting score with the contribution from Mohammad Ibrahim Snr (27, 26b, 1x4s, 2x6s), Shamraiz Khan (25, 24b, 2x4s) and Yasir Khan (21, 20b, 1x4, 1x6). Shahnawaz Dahani bagged four wickets for 17 runs in his four overs.
In reply, Larkana Region lost half their side for 70 runs before 44 more runs to their total for next two wickets. Najeebullah Achakzai and Abdul Wahid Bangalzai bagged two wickets each.
Peshawar Region v Karachi Region Blues
Karachi Region Blues defeated Peshawar Region by 16 runs as the latter was restricted to 167-9 in 20 overs. Karachi Blues’ left-handed opening batter Abdullah Fazal spearheaded their charge with the bat smashing 11 fours and three sixes in his unbeaten 61-ball 103.
In return, Peshawar Region could only manage to score 167 for the loss of nine wickets in their 20 overs.
Opening batter Sahibzada Farhan (62, 48b, 7x4s, 3x6s) scored his 17th T20 half century but in vain as Fahad Amin picked up three wickets for 37 runs while Mohammad Hamza and Aarish Ali Khan bagged a brace each.
Group B – Lahore
Islamabad Region v Bahawalpur Region
At the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore, Islamabad Region beat Bahawalpur Region by 36 runs after setting them a target of 167. Shamyl Hussain’s half century and Umair Khan’s four-for took Islamabad home.
After Islamabad were asked to bat first, Shamyl struck seven fours and one six in his 54-ball undefeated stay on the crease to collect 75 runs. Hammad Siddique pitched in with an unbeaten 27 including three sixes.
In turn, Bahawalpur lost wickets at regular intervals slipping to 56-5 and then 130 all out in 19.3 overs. Islamabad’s Umair Khan returned figures of 3.3-0-23-4 while Farmanullah Khan and Arsal Sheikh bagged three wickets apiece.
Lahore Region Blues v Dera Murad Jamali Region
Lahore Region Blues made light work of Dera Murad Jamali Region as they won by eight wickets and 36 balls to spare. DM Jamali posted a mere 100-8 in 20 overs with Fahad Hussain scoring unbeaten 36 off 23 balls with the help of one four and three sixes. Nisar Ahmed and Hussain Talat picked up two wickets each.
In response, opening batter Umair Siddiq scored an unbeaten 35-ball 42 while Hussain Talat returned 24 not out off 30 balls hitting a six and a four. The duo also shared an undefeated 52-run partnership.
Group C – Faisalabad
Abbottabad Region v Faisalabad Region
Kamran Ghulam showcased his all-round prowess with a half-century and three-for, inspiring Abbottabad to an eight wicket win over the home team Faisalabad. He also shared an unbeaten 132-run match-winning stand with Khayam Khan (64 not out, 46b, 11x4s) to scale the 135-run target in 16.3 overs.
Earlier, Faisalabad opted to bat first but kept losing wickets at regular intervals before getting bundled out in 19.4 overs. Opening batter Mohammad Faizan top-scored with 30-ball 43 laced with four fours and three sixes.
Apart from Kamran’s three wickets, Atizaz Habib Khan, Khalid Usman and Shahab Khan picked up two wickets each.
Rawalpindi Region v Hyderabad Region
Rawalpindi Region beat Hyderabad Region by 91-runs after posting 218-3 in 20 overs. Rawalpindi’s opening batter Zeeshan Malik was left stranded on 99 not out off 58 balls hitting 11 fours and three sixes. Skipper Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with 59 not out off 23 balls clubbing five sixes and as many boundaries.
Mubasir Khan chipped in with his all-round heroics as he contributed 32-ball 45-run knock with the bat hitting five fours and and figures of 3-19 with the ball.
For Hyderabad, no.5 batter Saad Khan (53, 34b, 2x4s, 3x6s) offered some resistance with a half-century with no support from the other end as they were bowled out for 127 in 17.2 overs. Leg spinner Saad Masood picked up two wickets.
Scores in brief:
Match 19 – Islamabad Region beat Bahawalpur Region by 36 runs at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore
Islamabad Region 166-4, 20 overs (Shamyl Hussain 75 not out, Hammad Siddique 27 not out; Mohammad Faizan 2-22)
Bahawalpur Region 130 all out, 19.3 overs (Mohammed Junaid 30, Mohammad Faizan Zafar 20; Umair Khan 4-23, Farmanullah Khan 3-21, Arsal Sheikh 3-21)
Players of the match – Shamyl Hussain (Islamabad Region)
Match 20 – Quetta Region beat Larkana Region by 15 runs at Multan Cricket Stadium
Quetta Region 129-7, 20 overs (Mohammad Ibrahim Snr 27, Shamraiz Khan 25, Yasir Khan 21; Shahnawaz Dahani 4-17)
Larkana Region 114-7, 20 overs (Sabit Ali 28, Mohsin Raza 20 not out, Mushtaq Ahmed 20; Najeebullah Achakzai 2-16, Abdul Wahid Bangalzai 2-25)
Player of the match – Abdul Wahid Bangalzai (Quetta Region)
Match 21 – Abbottabad Region beat Faisalabad Region by eight wickets at Iqbal Stadium Faisalabad
Faisalabad 134 all out, 19.4 overs (Mohammad Faizan 43, Ali Shan 20; Kamran Ghulam 3-26, Khalid Usman 2-21, Shahab Khan 2-22)
Abbottabad 135-2, 16.3 overs (Khayam Khan 64 not out, Kamran Ghulam 63 not out)
Match 22 – Lahore Region Blues beat Dera Murad Jamali Region by eight wickets at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore
DM Jamali 100-8, 20 overs (Fahad Hussain 36 not out; Nisar Ahmed 2-12, Hussain Talat 2-16)
Lahore Region Blues 102-2, 14 overs (Umar Siddiq 42 not out, Hussain Talat 24 not out, Imran Butt 22)
Player of the match – Hussain Talat (Lahore Region Blues)
Match 23 –Karachi Region Blues beat Peshawar Region by 16 runs at Multan Cricket Stadium
Karachi Region Blues 183-3, 20 overs (Abdullah Fazal 103 not out, Jahanzaib Sultan 30; Ihsanullah 2-33)
Peshawar Region 167-9, 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 62, Muhammad Amir Barki 34, Iftikhar Ahmed 25; Fahad Amin 3-37, Aarish Ali Khan 2-23, Muhammad Hamza 2-32)
Player of the match – Abdullah Fazal (Karachi Region Blues)
Match 24 – Rawalpindi Region beat Hyderabad Region by 91 runs at Iqbal Stadium Faisalabad
Rawalpindi 218-3, 20 overs (Zeeshan Malik 99 not out, Mohammad Nawaz 59 not out, Mubasir Khan 45; Majid Asghar 2-42)
Hyderabad 127 all out, 17.2 overs (Saad Khan 53; Mubasir Khan 3-19, Saad Masood 2-33)
Player of the match – Mubasir Khan (Rawalpindi Region)
Thursday’s fixtures:
Peshawar Region v Larkana Region at Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan; 4.30pm
Multan Region v FATA Region at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad; 7pm
Lahore Region Whites v Quetta Region at Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan; 9pm
Sialkot Region v AJK Region at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad; 11pm
