Faisalabad, 23 March 2025: Abbottabad and Multan advanced to the semi-finals of the Bank Alfalah Presents Inverex Solar Energy National T20 Cup as they beat Lahore Whites and Karachi Whites, respectively on Sunday night here at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad.
In the first quarter-final, Abbottabad overcame Lahore Whites on the back of Kamran Ghulam’s unbeaten half-century (58 not out, 41b, 6x4s, 2x6s), which helped them knock down the 131-run target in 17.5 overs.
After opting to field first, Abbottabad bagged two early wickets after which Lahore Whites’ skipper Muhammad Akhlaq steered the innings with a 49-ball 59 hitting seven fours and one six.
After Akhlaq’s departure in the 17th over at 96-5, Kamran Afzal (25 not out, 14b, 3x4s, 1x6) and Mohammad Azeem Dar (19 not out, 24b) stitched a 34-run unbeaten stand to help their team notch a fighting total. Abbottabad’s Khalid Usman picked up two wickets for 15 runs.
In turn, player of the match Kamran kept the Abbottabad innings intact after walking in at 12-1, jotting a 54-run second-wicket stand with Shahzaib Khan (28, 33b, 2x4s, 2x6s) and a 49-run partnership for fourth wicket with Afaq Ahmed (31, 21b, 2x4s, 2x6s) to take the team over the line.
In the second quarter-final Multan successfully defended their 155-run total as they edged out the defending champions Karachi Whites by a mere seven runs to secure a semi-final berth.
After Multan won the toss and elected to bat first, opening batter Zeeshan Ashraf headlined their batting effort with a sublime 60 off 34 balls hitting nine fours and three sixes before departing in the 10th over.
No.5 batter Muhammad Shahzad (36, 25b, 4x4s, 1x6), who walked in at 81-3, stitched a 24-run stand with Arafat Minhas (13, 12b, 2x4s) and then a valuable 37-run partnership with Humayun Altaf (17, 16b, 2x4s), which pushed Multan past 150-run mark.
In turn, Karachi lost their first three wickets for just 18 runs in 4.5 overs before Haroon Arshad (42, 29b, 4x4s, 1x6) and Mohammad Taha (36, 30b, 3x4s, 2x6s) rebuild the innings with a 79-run stand. Saad Baig, who walked in at 98-5, struck a 19-ball 25 including two fours and one six but in vain as they fell seven runs short.
For Multan, pacer Mohammad Ismail was pick of the bowlers with figures of 4-0-34-3, while Faisal Akram picked up two wickets. Wasim Akram Jnr, Ali Majid and Arafat Minhas dismissed one batter each.
Scores in brief:
1st Quarter-Final – Abbottabad beat Lahore Whites by six wickets at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
Lahore Whites 130-5, 20 overs (Muhammad Akhlaq 59, Kamram Afzal 25 not out, Mohammad Azeem Dar 19 not out; Khalid Usman 2-15)
Abbottabad 131-4, 17.5 overs (Kamran Ghulam 58 not out, Afaq Ahmed 31, Shahazaib Khan 28)
Player of the match - Kamran Ghulam (Abbottabad Region)
2nd Quarter-Final – Multan beat Karachi Whites by seven runs at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
Multan 155-9, 20 overs (Zeeshan Ashraf 60, Muhammad Shahzad 36; Haroon Arshad 2-21, Saud Shakeel 2-24)
Karachi Whites 148-8, 20 overs (Haroon Arshad 42, Mohammad Taha 36, Saad Baig 25; Mohammad Ismail 3-34, Faisal Akram 2-42)
Player of the match – Zeeshan Ashraf (Multan Region)
Monday’s fixtures:
3rd Quarter-Final - 24 March 2025: Faisalabad Region v Peshawar Region at Iqbal Stadium Faisalabad; 7.15pm
4th Quarter-Final - 24 March 2025: Sialkot Region v Lahore Region Blues at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad; 11.15pm
