RAWALPINDI - Multan Region gave a cricketing lesson to Rawalpindi thrashing them by 8 wickets in the Cool & Cool Present Haier Mobile T20 Cup 2015 match played here at Pindi cricket stadium on Wednesday.
Sohaib Maqsood slammed unbeaten 24, as Multan staged strong comeback in the event after losing first match against Hyderabad. Multan achieved the target of 133 in 17.5 overs, losing only two wickets. They started their run-chase in whirlwind fashion and scored 78 runs for the opening stand in 59 balls. Kamran Akmal hit 35-ball 51, and after his dismissal, Multan lost some quick wickets at the hands of Hammad Azam who picked up two wickets in his first 3 overs. But after that, he was given real bashing in his fourth and and last over by Sohaib Maqsood as Hammad conceded 18 runs in his last over. Kamran Akmal was named player of the match.
Earlier, Rawalpindi skipper Sohail Tanvir won the toss and opted to bat first. The decision backfired as the entire team was bowled out for 132 in 19.5 overs. Awais Zia was top scorer with 33 while Umar Amin and Jasim Murtaza scored 13 runs each. Zahid Mansoor wasted 14 balls and scored only 12 runs. Rahat Ali, Zulfiqar Babar and Majid Ali claimed two wickets each.
It is pertinent to mention here that Zahid Mansoor was just picked by coach Sabih Azhar, as he is the skipper of his close aide Sajjid Shah’s Pasban Club, otherwise, there is not even a single reasonable performance he had given so far for Rawalpindi Region. There are a number of other players, who deserve better treatment, but they could not find way in the team, just because of personal liking and disliking. There is an urgent need to look into the matters of Rawalpindi cricket, and Islamabad must not interfere in its affairs. Dummy regional president Maj (R) Naeem Gilani is solely responsible for not advocating Pindi’s rights and region is B team of Islamabad. Shakil Sheikh should not interfere in Rawalpindi affairs and must keep his house in order.
In the first match of the day played at Pindi Stadium, Abbottabad Region stunned star-studied Lahore Region Whites by 83 runs. Azhar Ali won the toss and invited Younus Khan-led Abbottabad to bat first, who posted 198-3 on the board. Yasir Hameed made 67 and Younus slammed 61. Lahore Region innings was folded at 115 in 16 overs. Hafeez was the only notable batsman with 31 runs. Left arm spinner Khalid Usman bowled well and grabbed 5-26 while Junaid Khan and Yasir Shah took two wickets each. Khalid was named player of the match.
In the second match played at the same venue, Faisalabad Region had to suffer 5-wicket defeat at the hands of Peshawar Region. Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and decided to bat first, but the decision failed miserably as Faisalabad could score 133-9. Misbah made 38 but no other batsman could bat well and lost their wickets cheaply. Imran Khan Junior took 4-20 while Imran Senior and Iftikhar got two wickets each.
Peshawar Region reached home in 18.5 overs losing five wickets. Iftikhar Ahmed made match-winning unbeaten 51. Imran Khalid took 2-22. Iftikhar Ahmed was named player of the match.
Earlier for the second match in running, Sialkot Region survived close scare before registering narrow four-run victory against Hyderabad Region in the first match of the day played at Diamond ground, Islamabad.
Sialkot could score 163-7 in the allotted overs. Last match hero Mukhtar failed to open his account, while Nauman Anwar scored just one. Bilal Asif batted well and slammed stylish 53 while Shoaib Malik contributed 52. Babar Khan and Noman Ali took two wickets each. In reply, Hyderabad could score 159-9. Bilal Asif rattled top order with 3-11, while Ammad Butt captured 3-50. Surprisingly Shoaib Malik was named player of the match.
In the second match played at the same venue, Bahawalpur Region registered sensational 42-run victory against Karachi Region Whites. Put into bat first, Bahawalpur hammered 174-4 in 20 overs. Moinuddin scored 58 and Faisal Mubashir unbeaten 56. In reply, Karachi was bowled out for 132 in 19.4 overs. Shahryar Ghani made 32 and Ahsan Ali 28. Saadat Munir took 3-28, while Kamran and Zahir got two wickets each. Faisal was named player of the match.