Times Report
PESHAWAR: The ABS Developers National T20 Cup began at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium in Peshawar, where Lahore Region Whites and Karachi Region Whites secured victories against their respective opponents on the opening day of the tournament.
In the first match, Lahore Region Whites defeated Peshawar Region by six wickets. After winning the toss, Peshawar Region opted to bat first and posted 167 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Opener Yasir Khan impressed with the bat, scoring a valuable half-century.
For Lahore Whites, captain Amir Jamal led the bowling attack by claiming three wickets, while leg-spinner Ramiz Junior picked up two. Naseem Shah and Obaid Shah chipped in with one wicket each.
Chasing the target, Lahore Whites comfortably reached the total in 17 overs with four wickets down. Player of the Match Farhan Yousuf played a brilliant unbeaten knock of 61 runs off 31 balls, smashing five fours and four sixes. Opener Muhammad Akhlaq also contributed significantly with 58 runs off 46 balls, including eight fours and a six.
In the second match of the day, Karachi Region Whites defeated Faisalabad Region by eight wickets. Batting first, Faisalabad recovered from an early setback of 57 for four to post 171 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs. Muhammad Owais Zafar anchored the innings with an unbeaten 81 off 53 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes. For Karachi Whites, Saim Ayub and Muhammad Umar claimed two wickets each.
In response, Karachi Whites successfully chased the target in 17.1 overs, losing only two wickets. Abdullah Fazal was declared Player of the Match for his impressive unbeaten 76 off 51 balls, which included three fours and five sixes. Khawaja Muhammad Nafi supported well with a solid 48-run innings, featuring six fours and two sixes. Their 86-run partnership proved decisive in Karachi Whites’ victory. Zaman Khan and Muhammad Zeeshan picked up one wicket each for Faisalabad.
Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi attended the opening ceremony as the chief guest and formally inaugurated the tournament and the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium. He was accompanied by Sports Advisor Taj Muhammad Tarand and other dignitaries.
On the second day of the tournament, Abbottabad will face Multan, while Sialkot will take on Karachi Blues.
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