Times Report
SIALKOT: Sialkot secured a crucial victory on the eighth day of the ABS Developers National T20 Cup, defeating Abbottabad to confirm their place in the semi-finals, while Karachi Blues won their final group match against Lahore Blues.
With this result, Sialkot finished first in Group B, followed by Multan in second place. Abbottabad stands third and Karachi Blues fourth, while Lahore Blues lost all three of their matches. The top four teams in the group have four points each; however, Sialkot and Multan occupy the top two positions due to better net run rate.
The final Group B matches will be played on Monday, with Abbottabad facing Lahore Blues, while Sialkot will take on Multan.
In the first match, Abbottabad won the toss and elected to field first. Sialkot posted a strong total of 202 for 6 in 20 overs. Abdullah Shafiq played a brilliant innings, scoring 96 runs off 54 balls, hitting seven sixes and four fours. Hassan Nawaz contributed 57 runs off 34 balls, striking six fours and three sixes. The duo shared a magnificent 145-run partnership for the third wicket.
Left-arm fast bowler Shahab Khan claimed five wickets for Abbottabad, marking the third five-wicket haul of his T20 career. In reply, Abbottabad were bowled out for 171 runs in 20 overs. Usama Mir took four wickets, while Muhammad Ali, Shoaib Akhtar Jr., and Ahsan Hafeez Bhatti claimed two wickets each. Despite contributions from Sajjad Ali Hashmi (40), Aitzaz Habib Khan (28), and Razaullah (25), Abbottabad fell short.
In the second match, Karachi Blues defeated Lahore Blues by 57 runs. Batting first, Karachi Blues were powered by Saad Baig, who scored an unbeaten 72 off 37 balls, hitting seven fours and four sixes—his first T20 half-century. Mohammad Usman Rahim added 33 runs off 23 balls. The pair formed an unbeaten 89-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Mohammad Rizwan took two wickets and Ali Razzaq claimed one for Lahore Blues. In response, Lahore Blues struggled and were dismissed for 56 runs. Karachi Blues’ Shah Nawaz Dhani and Jahandad Khan took four wickets each, while Mehran Mumtaz claimed two wickets.
Upcoming fixtures include Lahore Whites vs Karachi Whites in Group A, followed by Bahawalpur taking on Peshawar.
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