Rawalpindi, 9 November 2023: The fifth round of Pakistan Cup 2023-24, played at four venues across Rawalpindi, AJK and Abbottabad had Peshawar, Karachi Whites, Multan and FATA emerge on top in their respective games. The only game of the round not affected by bad weather saw FATA defeat Lahore Whites by six wickets in a low-scoring match. The other three matches were impacted by weather and bad light, and results were produced on DLS method. Saim Ayub’s brilliant century took Karachi Whites to a 72-run win over Rawalpindi. Peshawar inflicted a 68-run win over Faisalabad, while Multan defeated Lahore Blues by 37 runs.
Faisalabad v Peshawar at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
After being put into bat first, Peshawar scored 264 all out in 45 overs against Faisalabad at Pindi Cricket Stadium. Captain Sahibzada Farhan (66, 106b, 9x4s) and Kamran Ghulam (63, 46b, 7x4s, 2x6s) were the top scorers for the side. Right-arm pacer Arshad Iqbal registered a five-wicket haul. Faheem Ashraf and Ali Shan, who were involved in a collision, went off the field after suspected concussion. Mohammad Huraira was named Faheem’s replacement, while Irfan Khan Niazi replaced Ali Shan.
In return, Faisalabad could only get to 142-7 in 27.3 overs before no further play was possible due to bad light. Asif Ali (30, 27b, 2x4s, 1x6) and Mohammad Saleem (27, 41b) were the only notable batters for the side. Pacers Mohammad Ilyas, Abbas Afridi and left-arm spinner Azam Khan claimed two wickets each. Peshawar were awarded a 68-run victory, as per DLS.
Rawalpindi v Karachi Whites at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Karachi Whites scored a mammoth total of 364-7 in the allotted 45 overs after they were invited to bat first by Rawalpindi at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium. Saim Ayub was the star of the show, smashing 179 from 125, including 15 fours and 11 sixes. This is the highest individual score of this edition of the competition so far.
Asad Shafiq produced a half-century (57, 43b, 6x4s, 2x6s) as well. All seven of the Rawalpindi bowlers returned with a wicket each.
In return, Rawalpindi only managed 169-5 in 27 overs before rain interfered. Abdul Faseeh (54, 45b, 9x4s, 1x6) and Umar Amin (44, 27b, 5x4s, 2x6s) were the major contributors with the bat. Left-arm spinner Noman Ali got three wickets while Asad Shafiq returned with two scalps as well. Karachi Whites were awarded a 72-run victory, as per DLS.
Multan v Lahore Blues at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Abbottabad
In the rain-impacted game, Lahore Blues got to 257-7 in the stipulated 40 overs after Multan won the toss and elected to bowl first at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium. Hussain Talat (70, 56b, 9x4s) and Rizwan Hussain (62, 79b, 9x4s) were the top run-getters for the team. Tahir Hussain was the pick of the bowlers for Multan, accounting for three wickets.
Multan could only bat for 21.2 overs, before weather conditions disallowed further play. They scored 163-4, on the back of Sharjeel Khan’s quick-fire half-century (82, 63b, 8x4s, 5x6s). Sohaib Maqsood also chipped in with 33 off 35 deliveries, including three fours and a six, as Multan were awarded a 37-run win over Lahore Blues as per DLS. Ali Shafiq, Umaid Asif, Hussain Talat and Usman Qadir took a wicket each.
FATA v Lahore Whites at Mirpur Cricket Stadium, AJK
FATA’s decision to bowl first worked in their favor as they bowled Lahore Whites out for only 128 in 38.1 overs at Mirpur Cricket Stadium. Ahmed Daniyal was the highest scorer for the side, hitting 32 from 42, including three fours and a six. Fahad Munir added 27 off 44, including three boundaries, to the total. Asif Afridi and Khushdil Shah took three wickets each and Shahid Aziz also had two to his name.
In turn, FATA scored 130-4 in 22.1 overs. Mohammad Farooq (40, 30b, 6x4s), Mohammad Sarwar Afridi (34 not out, 28b, 4x4s, 1x6) and Samiullah Jnr (33, 58b, 3x4s) were the major contributors with the bat. Mohammad Rameez Jnr grabbed two wickets while Asadullah and Aamer Jamal returned with a wicket each.
Scores in brief:
Peshawar beat Faisalabad by 68 runs (DLS)
Peshawar 264 all out, 45 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 66, Kamran Ghulam 63; Arshad Iqbal 5-67)
Faisalabad 142-7, 27.3 overs (Asif Ali 30, Mohammad Saleem 27; Abbas Afridi 2-29, Azam Khan 2-32, Mohammad Ilyas 2-34)
Karachi Whites beat Rawalpindi by 72 runs (DLS)
Karachi Whites 364-7, 45 overs (Saim Ayub 179, Asad Shafiq 57; Shoaib Amir 1-37, Mehran Mumtaz 1-54, Mubasir Khan 1-57, Kashif Ali 1-67, Zeeshan Malik 1-68, Jahandad Khan 1-75)
Rawalpindi 169-5, 27 overs (Abdul Faseeh 54, Umar Amin 44; Noman Ali 3-19, Asa Shafiq 2-9)
Multan beat Lahore Blues by 37 runs (DLS)
Lahore Blues 257-7, 40 overs (Hussain Talat 70, Rizwan Hussain 62; Tahir Hussain 3-56)
Multan 163-4, 21.2 overs (Sharjeel Khan 82, Sohaib Maqsood 33; Hussain Talat 1-17, Usman Qadir 1-17, Ali Shafiq 1-27, Umaid Asif 1-31)
FATA beat Lahore Whites by six wickets
Lahore Whites 128 all out, 38.1 overs (Ahmed Daniyal 32, Fahad Munir 27; Asif Afridi 3-15, Khushdil Shah 3-30, Shahid Aziz 2-25)
FATA 130-4, 22.1 overs (Mohammad Farooq 40, Mohammad Sarwar Afridi 34 not out, Samiullah Jr 33; Mohammad Rameez Jr 2-25, Aamer Jamal 1-29, Asadullah 1-35)
