Faisalabad, 6 September 2022: The Cricket Associations T20 kicked off today at Bohranwali Ground in Faisalabad with Sindh defeating Southern Punjab in the first match and Central Punjab beating Balochistan in the second.
The tournament – in which second XI sides of the six Cricket Associations take part – is being played on double league basis, meaning each team will get 10 matches, which will, in turn, provide more playing opportunities to players at this level.
The team that finishes at the top of the points table will win the tournament.
Sindh beat Southern Punjab by seven wickets
Ammad Alam made 41 not out off 37 balls in Sindh’s successful chase of 138. The chasing team overhauled the target with eight balls and seven wickets spare. Ammad was Sindh’s top-scorer and struck three sixes and a four.
The opening pair of Jahanzaib Sultan (26 off 20) and Mohammad Afzal (35 off 25) provided a solid start with a 55-run partnership and Mohammad Taha, the Sindh captain, made 25 off 21.
Ali Usman took all three Sindh wickets.
Southern Punjab, after being asked to bat, made 137 for six with Umar Siddiq and Yousuf Babar posting 47 each. Umar made his 47 off 49 balls (four fours) and Yousuf’s innings lasted 36 balls, in which he smashed three sixes and two fours.
Central Punjab beat Balochistan by 43 runs
Half-centuries from Abid Ali (54 off 29), Gauhar Hafeez (50 off 36) and Rizwan Hussain (52 off 32) laid the foundation for Central Punjab’s win over Balochistan. Central Punjab posted 193 for four after captain Rizwan elected to bat after calling correctly at the toss.
Top scorer Abid Ali smashed six fours and three sixes, while Gauhar smashed four fours and two sixes. Central Punjab captain Rizwan stroked five fours and smacked three sixes.
Balochistan could manage only 150 for nine as Mohamamd Waheed picked up three for 36 and Haseeb-Ur-Rehman returned two for 20. Balochistan’s Mohamamd Shahid, with 44 off 33, was the top scorer, while Abdul Hanan made 33-ball 35.
Scores in brief:
Sindh beat Southern Punjab by 7 wickets
Southern Punjab 137-6, 20 overs (Umar Siddiq 47, Yousuf Babar 47; Ghulam Mudassar 2-18)
Sindh 138-3, 18.4 overs (Ammad Alam 41 not out, Mohammad Afzal 35, Jahanzaib Sultan 26, Mohammad Taha 25; Ali Usman 3-20)
Central Punjab beat Balochistan by 43 runs
Central Punjab 193-4, 20 overs (Abid Ali 54, Rizwan Hussain 52, Gauhar Hafeez 50, Mukhtar Ahmed 23 not out; Mohammad Shahid 2-38)
Balochistan 150-9, 20 overs (Mohammad Shahid 44 not out, Abdul Hanan 35; Mohammad Waheed 3-36, Haseeb-Ur-Rehman 2-20)
