- Scorecard available here; action photos and post-match media conferences of Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Rizwan available for free download and editorial use
Rawalpindi, 3 April 2019:
A five-wicket haul by fast bowler Wahab Riaz helped Khyber Pakhtunkhwa defending champions Federal Area by three wickets on the second day of the Mughal Steel Pakistan Cup 2019 one-day tournament at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Wednesday.
The 33-year-old veteran of 27 Tests, 79 ODIs and 27 T20Is returned figures of 10-0-52-5 as Federal Areas slipped from 94 for no loss to 269 all out in 45.3 overs after electing to bat first. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa almost made a mess of the run-chase when they slipped from 162 for two to 238 for seven, before crossing the line with two balls to spare.
Khushdil Shah led a rearguard action for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by scoring 40 not out off 56 balls with two fours. He received match-winning support from Sohail Khan, who contributed 25 not out from 18 balls with a four and two sixes in an unbroken eighth wicket stand of 36.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s run-chase was dominated by a 107-run third wicket stand between Mohammad Saad and Adil Amin. Saad was first to depart after scoring 64 off 84 balls with seven fours and a six, while Adil followed Saad 22 runs later when he fell after hitting an impressive 75-ball 70 with five fours and two sixes.
Sameen Gul was the most successful Federal Areas bowler with three for 66, while Zia-ul-Haq took two for 41 and Bilal Asif finished with two for 49.
Earlier in the day, Federal Areas were hit hard by an outstanding spell of fast bowling by Wahab Riaz as they were dismissed for 269 runs in the 46th over. Wahab dismantled the Federal Area’s top and middle-order when he accounted for Ahmed Shehzad (56), Nihal Mansoor (four), Mohammad Rizwan (three), Rameez Raja Junior (6) and Sameen Gul (one).
It was Wahab’s burst that brought Khyber Pakhtunkhwa back in the match after a 94-run opening partnership between Israrullah and Ahmed Shehzad had provided Federal Areas a solid start.
Ahmed Shehzad scored a 60-ball 56 with eight fours, while Israrullah, who become the sixth batsman to be dismissed, contributed 77 off 74 balls with 10 fours.
After Khyber Pakhtunkhwa slipped from 94 for none to 126 for five, Mohammad Nawaz held the innings together with an impressive run-a-ball 62 with seven fours.
Waqas Maqsood added 31 runs for the last wicket with Zia-ul-Haq, who dominated the stand with a 12-ball 22 that included five fours.
Scores in brief:
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa beat Federal Areas by three wickets
Federal Areas 269 all out, 45.3 overs (Israrullah 77, Mohammad Nawaz 62, Ahmad Shehzad 56; Wahab Riaz 5-52, Sohail Khan 2-35)
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 274-7, 49.4 overs (Adil Amin 70, Mohammad Saad 64, Khushdil Shah 40 not out, Sohail Khan 25 not out; Sameen Gul 3-66; Zia-ul-Haq 2-41, Bilal Asif 2-49)
Player of the match – Wahab Riaz (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Thursday’s fixture - Balochistan vs Sindh
