- Scorecards available here
- Match photographs available here
Karachi, 3 December 2023: Abbottabad’s Shahab Khan, Rawalpindi’s Yasir Khan and Peshawar’s Mohammad Haris secured victories for their teams on the third day of Super-Eight stage of AH Group Presents Jazz Super 4G National T20 Cup 2023-24, as action unfolded across three venues in Karachi.
The fourth match of the day will be played between Lahore Whites and Karachi Whites at National Bank Stadium with the first ball set to bowled at 2000 PKT.
Abbottabad v FATA at NBP Sports Complex
Opening batter Fakhar Zaman’s knock of 69 from 48, including five fours and three sixes, helped Abbottabad post 188-5 in 20 overs after they were put in to bat first by FATA at NBP Sports Complex. Wicketkeeper-batter Sajjad Ali (44, 35b, 4x4s, 2x6s) supported Fakhar at the top of the order. Later, cameos by Afaq Ahmed (23, 11b, 3x4s) and Shahab Khan (22 not out, 14b, 2x6s) also aided in Abbottabad’s surge.
Left-arm spinners Khushdil Shah and Asif Ali returned with two wickets each.
In response, FATA could only manage 131 and were bowled out in 17.2 overs. Opening batter Samiullah Jnr hit a half-century (53, 36b, 8x4s) but his effort went in vain as FATA lost by a considerably large margin of 57 runs.
Left-arm pacer Shahab picked up his maiden five-fer in just his fourth T20. He was supported by left-arm spinner Khalid Usman who had three wickets to his name. Shahab, for his contribution with bat and ball alike, was adjudged player of the match.
Rawalpindi v Sialkot at UBL Sports Complex
Rawalpindi won the toss and invited Sialkot to bat first at UBL Sports Complex. After Sialkot lost two wickets cheaply courtesy of right-arm pacers Kashif Ali and Mohammad Awais Anwar, Shoaib Malik (84 not out, 56b, 6x4s, 4x6s) and Ashir Mehmood (72 not out, 52b, 4x6s, 4x4s) stitched a 153-run partnership to take the total to 163-2 in the stipulated 20 overs.
Opening batter Yasir Khan, fresh from a century in the previous game, scored an unbeaten gutsy half-century (87 not out, 52b, 4x4s, 7x6s) to take Rawalpindi over the line in 18.4 overs and three wickets to spare. Yasir was awarded player of the match for his splendid outing with the bat. Jahandad Khan (29, 11b, 2x4s, 3x6s) was the other contributor with the bat.
Sialkot’s counterattack with the ball ensured Rawalpindi batters were challenged during the chase. Each of the Sialkot bowlers returned with at least a wicket with Sohaibullah getting two to his name.
Lahore Blues v Peshawar at National Bank Stadium
Peshawar defended a low total of 133 as the Iftikhar Ahmed-led side edged a five-run win against Lahore Blues at National Bank Stadium. Hussain Talat-led Lahore Blues could only manage 128-8 in 20 overs, as none of the batters could capitalise on their starts. Kashif Bhatti (25, 17b, 3x4s, 1x6), Imran Butt (24, 13b, 2x4s, 2x6s) and Hussain Talat (20, 25b, 1x6) were the top-scores for the team.
Imran Khan Snr and Iftikhar returned with two scalps each.
Earlier, after being put to bat first, Peshawar were dismissed for 133 in the completed 20 overs. Leg-spinner Usman Qadir bagged his first five-wicket haul in T20s and crossed the 100-wicket mark in the format during his spell. Right-arm pacer Hunain Shah got two wickets to his name. Despite Lahore Blues’ spirited bowling effort, it was Mohammad Haris’ fiery half century (55, 31b, 5x4s, 5x6s) that was the difference between the two sides, as he was named the player of the match.
Scores in brief:
Abbottabad beat FATA by 57 runs at NBP Sports Complex
Abbottabad 118-5, 20 overs (Fakhar Zaman 69, Sajjad Ali Jnr 44, Afaq Ahmed 23, Shahab Khan 22 not out; Asif Ali 2-25, Khushdil Shah 2-39)
FATA 131 all out, 17.2 overs (Samiullah Jnr 53, Salman Khan Jnr 28; Shahab Khan 5-20, Khalid Usman 3-29, Fayyaz Khan 1-19, Yasir Shah 1-23)
Player of the match – Shahab Khan (Abbottabad)
Rawalpindi beat Sialkot by three wickets at UBL Sports Complex
Sialkot 163-2, 20 overs (Shoaib Malik 84 not out, Ashir Mehmood 72 not out; Mohammad Awais Anwar 1-26, Kashif Ali 1-33)
Rawalpindi 167-7, 18.4 overs (Yasir Khan 87, Jahandad Khan 29; Sohaibullah 2-32, Shoaib Akhtar 1-21, Bilal Asif 1-26, Mohammad Ali 1-34, Shahzaib Bhatti 1-47)
Player of the match – Yasir Khan (Rawalpindi)
Peshawar beat Lahore Blues by five runs at National Bank Stadium
Peshawar 133 all out, 20 overs (Mohammad Haris 55, Sahibzada Farhan 15, Iftikhar Ahmed 15; Usman Qadir 5-14, Hunain Shan 2-25, Qasim Akram 1-21, Umaid Asif 1-25)
Lahore Blues 128-8, 20 overs (Kashif Bhatti 25, Imran Butt 24, Hussain Talat 20; Iftikhar Ahmed 2-16, Imran Khan Snr 2-33, Israrullah 1-2, Niaz Khan 1-14, Azam Khan 1-22, Mohammad Ilyas 1-30)
Player of the match – Mohammad Haris (Peshawar)
