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Faisalabad, 14 March 2025: Defending champions Karachi Region Whites and Bahawalpur Region registered victories on the opening day of the Bank Alfalah presents Inverex Solar Energy National T20 Cup 2024-25 here at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad on Friday night.
Karachi Region Whites vs Islamabad Region
Skipper Saud Shakeel led Karachi Whites from front with a match-winning half-century as they romped to a 30-run victory in the rain-hit first match of the tournament. Karachi Whites posted 159-6 in the allotted 20 overs after opting to bat first.
Saud, who was adjudged player of the match, smashed nine fours and one six in his 50-ball 76-run effort while opening the batting. Khurram Manzoor was the other notable run-getter for Karachi Whites as he managed 29 off 17 balls hitting four fours and one six.
For Islamabad, Naseerullah Khan and Musa Khan picked up two wickets each, while Arsal Sheikh and Umair Afridi dismissed one batter each.
In turn, Islamabad slipped to 27-4 and were struggling at 73-5 before the rain stopped play in the 14th over. Karachi Whites’ Muhammad Umar snared two wickets, while Danish Aziz, Arif Yaqoob and Saqib Khan picked up one wicket each.
Bahawalpur Region vs Dera Murad Jamali Region
In the second Group B fixture, Bahawalpur Region managed a thumping 61-run win against Dera Murad Jamali Region in a seven-over per side fixture.
After opting to bat first, Bahawalpur’s opening batters Aun Shahzad (28, 16b, 3x4s, 2x6s) and Muhammad Sudais (21 not out, 12b, 1x4, 2x6s) stitched a quickfire half-century partnership.
Skipper Muhammad Imran smashed 16 off eight balls hitting a four and a six each, while Faizan Zafar’s four-ball 16 inclusive of two fours and one six. Bahawalpur posted 95-3 in the allotted seven overs. In turn, DM Jamali could only manage 34-6.
For Bahawalpur Imran Khan Snr and Salahuddin snapped two wickets each.
Scores in brief
Match 1 – Karachi Region Whites beat Islamabad Region by 30 runs (DLS method) at Iqbal Stadium Faisalabad
Karachi Whites 159-6, 20 overs (Saud Shakeel 76, Khurram Manzoor 29, Saad Baig 18 not out; Naseerullah Khan 2-21, Musa Khan 2-43)
Islamabad 73-5, 13.1 overs (Ali Imran 26, Hammad Siddique 25 not out; Muhammad Umar 2-9)
Player of the match – Saud Shakeel (Karachi Region Whites)
Match 2 – Bahawalpur Region beat Dera Murad Jamali Region by 61 runs at Iqbal Stadium Faisalabad
Bahawalpur 95-3, 7 overs (Aun Shahzad 28, Muhammad Sudais 21 not out; Muhammad Shahid 3-11)
Dera Murad Jamali 34-6, 7 overs (Muhammad Uzair 11; Salahuddin 2-7, Imran Khan Snr 2-9)
Player of the match – Imran Khan Snr (Bahawalpur Region)
Saturday’s fixtures:
Lahore Region Whites vs Peshawar Region at 7pm, Iqbal Stadium Faisalabad
Karachi Region Blues vs Larkana Region at 11.45pm, Iqbal Stadium Faisalabad
