Rawalpindi, 3 November 2023: The second round of Pakistan Cup 2023-24 was played at four venues across three cities - Rawalpindi, AJK and Abbottabad - in the country. Hunain Shah’s heroics with the ball allowed Lahore Blues to obtain a 94-run victory over Faisalabad while Karachi Whites defeated FATA by six wickets. Half-centuries by Zain Abbas, Sharoon Siraj and Haseebullah helped Multan to a six-wicket win against Lahore Whites. Peshawar won a thriller against Rawalpindi, snatching victory by just one run.
Faisalabad v Lahore Blues at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi:
After being put in to bat first, Lahore Blues got to 241-6 in the stipulated 45 overs. Junaid Ali (47 not out, 48b, 4x4s, 1x6) and Umar Siddiq (46, 41b, 8x4s, 1x6) were the high scorers for the side. Umaid Asif (41 not out, 28b, 4x4s, 1x6) and Hussain Talat (39, 63b, 2x4s) also chipped in.
Faisalabad captain Faheem Ashraf returned with three wickets while Mohammad Ali and Arham Nawab picked up a wicket apiece.
In turn, Faisalabad were dismissed for 149 in 36.2 overs courtesy of a six-wicket haul by Hunain Shah. Faisalabad batters had no answers for the questions asked by the right-arm pacer falling 94 short of Lahore Blues’ total. Faheem was the only batter offering resistance, producing 40 from 57 including five boundaries. Mohammad Faizan (30, 38b, 4x4s) was the other contributor with the bat.
FATA v Karachi Whites at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi:
Karachi Whites banked on their decision to field first and dismissed FATA for 155 in 36.2 overs at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium. Mohammad Sarwar Afridi was the lone fighter for his side, producing a gritty half-century (53, 68b, 2x4s, 3x6s). Mohammad Farooq, who scored 23 from 43 including two fours and a six, was the second-highest run-getter in the innings.
Veterans Anwar Ali and Sohail Khan grabbed three wickets each. Danish Aziz also got two wickets to his name and bowled three maidens in his eight-over spell.
In return, Karachi Blues completed the target in 31.1 overs, while losing four wickets. Omair Bin Yousuf top-scored (41, 57b, 6x4s) for his team. His efforts were complemented by Asad Shafiq (37 not out, 67b, 4x4s).
Irfanullah Shah took two wickets while Sameen Gul and captain Khushdil Shah had a wicket each to their name.
Lahore Whites v Multan at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Abbottabad:
Multan won the toss and opted to field first against Lahore Whites at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium. Lahore Whites were bowled out for 266 in 44.1 overs. Tayyab Tahir (74, 86b, 6x4s, 4x6s) and Aamer Jamal (74, 53b, 7x4s, 4x6s) scored the bulk of the runs for their side. Captain Saad Naseem chipped in with 22 off 19 deliveries, including two boundaries and a maximum.
Pacer Mohammad Imran registered a four-wicket haul while left-arm wrist-spinner Faisal Akram grabbed two wickets.
It took Multan 39.2 overs to chase the target, getting to 270 at the expense of four wickets. Haseebullah (70, 96, 5x4s, 1x6), Zain Abbas (69, 67b, 6x4s, 1x6) and Sharoon Siraj (55 not out, 44b, 7x4s, 1x6) were crucial to Multan’s smooth sailing to the target. Kamran Afzal got two wickets while Mohammad Faiq and Ahmed Bashir grabbed a wicket each.
Peshawar v Rawalpindi at Mirpur Cricket Stadium, AJK:
Peshawar scored 212-9 in the allotted 45 overs after Rawalpindi decided to bowl first at Mirpur Cricket Stadium. Nabi Gul hit 47 from 48 including five boundaries and a maximum, and was the top-scorer for the side. He was supported by Sajid Khan (38, 34b, 5x4s, 1x6) and Kamran Ghulam (36, 69b, 2x4s, 1x6).
Spinner Mubasir Khan and pacer Jahandad Khan returned with three scalps each.
Zeeshan Malik (83, 110b, 7x4s, 1x6) and Haider Ali (63, 65b, 11x4s) allowed Rawalpindi to get into a comfortable position while chasing 213. However, a counterattack by the Peshawar bowlers swung the game back in their favour. Kamran Ghulam took a four-fer, while pacer Abbas Afridi had three wickets to his name. Mohammad Imran took the last wicket to fall as Rawalpindi fell two runs short of the target as the side was dismissed for 211 in 41.3 overs.
Scores in brief:
Lahore Blues beat Faisalabad by 94 runs
Lahore Blues 241-6, 45 overs (Junaid Ali 47 not out, Umar Siddiq 46, Umaid Asif 41 not out; Faheem Ashraf 3-57, Arham Nawab 1-29, Mohammad Ali 1-39)
Faisalabad 147 all out, 36.2 overs (Faheem Ashraf 40, Mohammad Faizan 30; Hunain Shah 6-26)
Karachi Whites beat FATA by six wickets
FATA 155 all out, 36.2 overs (Mohammad Sarwar Afridi 53, Mohammad Farooq 23; Sohail Khan 3-18, Anwar Ali 3-33, Danish Aziz 2-24)
Karachi Whites 159-4, 31.1 overs (Omair Bin Yousuf 41, Asad Shafiq 37 not out; Irfanullah Shah 2-20, Khushdil Shah 1-20, Sameen Gul 1-38)
Multan beat Lahore Whites by six wickets
Lahore Whites 266 all out, 44.1 overs (Aamer Jamal 74, Tayyab Tahir 74; Saad Naseem 22; Mohammad Imran 4-39, Faisal Akram 2-72)
Multan 270-4, 39.2 overs (Haseebullah 70, Zain Abbas 69, Sharoon Siraj 55 not out; Kamran Afzal 2-49, Ahmed Bashir 1-47, Mohammad Faiq 1-50)
Peshawar beat Rawalpindi by one run
Peshawar 212-9, 45 overs (Nabi Gul 47, Sajid Khan 38, Kamran Ghulam 36; Jahandad Khan 3-43, Mubasir Khan 3-51)
Rawalpindi 211 all out, 41.3 overs (Zeeshan Malik 83, Haider Ali 63; Kamran Ghulam 4-27, Abbas Afridi 3-54, Mohammad Imran 2-45)
