Khyber Pakhtunkhwa beat Balochistan to lift Pakistan Cup title
Abid Ali scored a century and Sohail Khan picked three wickets to lead KP to their second tile
April 13, 2019
RAWALPINDI: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa won the Pakistan Cup 2019 with a thrilling nine-run victory over Balochistan in front of a packed Pindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.
The final went down to the wire with Balochistan requiring 12 in the last over to overhaul KP’s 307. However, Balochistan could only manage to score two runs as KP lifted their second title.
At the beginning of the second last over, Balochistan needed 22 with four wickets standing, however, things took a turn for them as they scored 10 runs and lost three crucial wickets.
Sohail Khan was the star bowler for KP as he finished with figures of three for 75. Umaid Asif bagged two for 51. Khan who had earlier contributed a rapid 45 not out, was later awarded the Man of the Match award.
For Balochistan, opener Awaiz Zia led the run-chase scoring 94 off 83. He set the platform for a potential victory by putting on 92 runs for the second wicket with Asad Shafiq (48 off 45 balls).
Fawad Alam scored 48 off 61 for Balochistan.
Earlier in the day, opener Abid Ali’s sixth century was the highlight of KP’s batting effort after captain Salman Butt won the toss and opted to bat.
Ali added 136 runs for the second wicket with Mohammad Saad (51 off 61 balls) after Butt feel cheaply for two to Haris Rauf.
Ali singlehandedly kept the KP innings together as wickets fell from the other end. The right-hander completed his 100 off 91 balls as he maintained a healthy strike rate throughout. He was eventually dismissed by Ammad Butt for a 119 with KP placed at 238 for six in the 43rd over.
KP went past the 300-run mark, courtesy some lusty blows by Khan who scored an unbeaten 45 off 20.
Khan added 69 off the last 40 balls of the innings with Wahab Riaz adding 22 off 21 balls. Ali Imran with three for 48 in 10 overs was the pick of the Balochistan bowlers. Rauf took two for 41 in his 10 overs.
Scores in brief
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 307-7, 50 overs (Abid Ali 132, Mohammad Saad 51, Sohail Khan 45 not out; Ali Imran 3-48, Haris Rauf 2-41)
Balochistan 298-9, 50 overs (Awais Zia 83, Asad Shafiq 48, Fawad Alam 48; Sohail Khan 3-75)
Player of the match – Sohail Khan
Batsman of the tournament – Umar Akmal (342 runs, avg: 85.50)
Bowler of the tournament – Wahab Riaz and Ammad Butt (nine wickets each)
All-rounder of the tournament – Hammad Azam (144 runs, nine wickets)
