Faisalabad, 24 March 2025: Peshawar and Lahore Blues completed the semi-finals line up of the Bank Alfalah Presents Inverex Solar Energy National T20 Cup as they beat Faisalabad and Sialkot, respectively on Monday night here at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad.
Peshawar got over the line against Faisalabad in a close encounter as they won by three wickets with only four balls to spare.
Peshawar’s Mohammad Amir Khan, who took three wickets with the ball, struck two sixes in his unbeaten six-ball 14 knock after walking in at 120-7 in 18th over to make sure Peshawar chase the 139-run target and secure a semi-final berth.
Earlier, Faisalabad had opted to bat first and were reduced to 14-2 before Ali Shan (51, 39b, 3x4s, 3x6s) and Taimoor Sultan (36, 26, 2x4s) rebuilt the innings with 77-run partnership. After Ali’s departure on the last ball of 15th over, Faisalabad could only add 37 runs to their total off the last five overs.
For Peshawar, Amir returned figures of 4-0-25-3. While Nizar Ali picked up two wickets.
In turn, Peshawar raced to 54 runs in 6.3 overs losing Maaz Sadaqat (14) and Sahibzada Farhan (26, 13b, 5x4s) and Adil Amin in the process. Israrullah (30, 27b, 5x4s) and Iftikhar Ahmed (20, 33b, 1x4) stitched a valuable 42-run stand, when Faisalabad eked out the scalps of Nizar Ali in 15th over and Iftikhar in 18th over.
Apart from Amir’s brilliance with the bat, Peshawar were also aided by Muhammad Amir Barki’s nine-ball 12 inclusive of one six. The eighth-wicket duo of Amir and Mohammad Zulkifal added unbeaten 20 runs in eight balls to steer Peshawar to victory.
Peshawar face Abbottabad in the first semi-final on 26 March 2025 at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad.
In the fourth quarter final, Lahore Blues clinched a semi-final spot with a 33-run win over Sialkot Region at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad.
Batting first, Lahore posted 184 all out, powered by Umar Siddiq’s 44-ball 65 and Nisar Ahmad’s quick-fire 21 off seven. Hasan Ali starred for Sialkot, taking 4-42, including three wickets and a run-out in the final four balls of the innings.
In reply, Sialkot fell short at 151 all out in 18.5 overs despite Mirza Tahir Baig’s blistering 77 off 47 including five fours and five sixes. Lahore Blues, led by Hussain Talat and Nisar Ahmad’s two wickets apiece sealed the win. Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Irfan picked up two wickets each.
Lahore Blues face Multan in the second semi-final on March 26.
Scores in brief
Quarter Final 3 – Peshawar beat Faisalabad by three wickets at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
Faisalabad 138-7, 20 overs (Ali Shan 51, Taimoor Sultan 36; Mohammad Amir Khan 3-25, Nizar Ali 2-22)
Peshawar 140-7, 19.2 overs (Israrullah 30, Sahibzada Farhan 26, Iftikhar Ahmed 20, Mohammad Amir Khan 14 not out; Ahmed Safi Abdullah 3-20, Shehzad Gul 2-26)
Player of the match – Mohammad Amir Khan (Peshawar Region)
Quarter Final 4 – Lahore Region Blues beat Sialkot Region by 33 runs at Iqbal Stadium Faisalabad
Lahore Region Blues 184 all out, 20 overs (Umar Siddiq 65; Hasan Ali 4-42, Usama Mir 2-23)
Sialkot 151 all out, 18.5 overs (Mirza Tahir Baig 77, Hasan Ali 25; Hussain Talat 2-25, Nisar Ahmed 2-27, Mohammad Rizwan 2-35, Mohammad Irfan 2-41)
Player of the match: Umar Siddiq (Lahore Region Blues)
Semi Finals:
1st Semi-Final - 26 March 2025: Abbottabad Region v Peshawar Region at Iqbal Stadium Faisalabad; 7.15pm
2nd Semi-Final - 26 March 2025: Multan Region v Lahore Region Blues at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad; 11.15pm
