Wasim, Dahani Lead Pakistan Whites To Six-Run Victory

MULTAN: (Sports Desk) – Mohammad Wasim and Shahnawaz Dahani combined for nine wickets as Pakistan Whites held their nerve to defend 245 and defeat Pakistan Blues by six runs in a thrilling National Champions Cup encounter at Multan Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Chasing 246 for victory, Pakistan Blues were dismissed for 239 in 49.4 overs despite impressive half-centuries from Maaz Sadaqat and Mohammad Faiq. Wasim led the bowling attack with 5-46 from 10 overs, while Dahani claimed 4-43 in 9.4 overs. Haris Rauf took the remaining wicket.

Earlier, Pakistan Blues captain Sahibzada Farhan won the toss and elected to field. Pakistan Whites posted 245 before being bowled out in 49.3 overs, with Shahzaib Khan producing the top score of 71 from 85 deliveries. His innings featured three fours and three sixes.

Pakistan Whites suffered an early setback when Saim Ayub fell for 22 at 34, followed by Mohsin Riaz for eight. Mohammad Faiq claimed both wickets as Whites slipped to 44-2.

Shahzaib then joined Usman Khan to steady the innings. The pair added valuable runs before Faiq struck again, removing Usman for 29 with the score at 117.

Shahzaib continued to build the innings but was eventually dismissed for 71 by Maaz Sadaqat at 147-4. Maaz struck again shortly afterwards to send Khushdil Shah back for one, while Arafat Minhas accounted for Hasan Nawaz for 20 as Whites fell to 157-6.

Saad Masood and Haris Rauf responded with an important lower-order partnership. Saad scored 35 from 45 balls, including a four and a six, while Haris added 27 off 34 deliveries, hitting two fours and a six.

Their contribution took Pakistan Whites beyond the 200-run mark before Sufyan Moqim dismissed Haris at 210-7. Mohammad Wasim chipped in with 21 from 25 balls before the innings ended on 245.

Faiq was the pick of the Pakistan Blues bowlers, finishing with 3-36 from six overs. Maaz Sadaqat returned excellent figures of 2-12 from four overs, while Hasan Ali, Akif Javed, Arafat Minhas and Sufyan Moqim claimed one wicket apiece.

Blues Launch Strong Chase Before Collapse

Pakistan Blues began their chase positively but lost captain Farhan for 17 at 30, with Dahani providing the breakthrough.

Maaz Sadaqat and Faiq then took control, putting together a 99-run second-wicket stand that appeared to put Blues firmly on course for victory.

Maaz struck 59 from 77 balls, hitting six fours and a six, while Faiq contributed 54 off 64 deliveries, including five fours and a six.

The momentum changed dramatically when Wasim dismissed Maaz for 59 at 129. Haris Rauf then removed Faiq at 135, before Wasim trapped Tayyab Tahir lbw for three as Blues slipped to 137-3.

Dahani tightened the pressure by dismissing Arafat Minhas for 12 and Rohail Nazir for eight. From 129-1, Pakistan Blues had suddenly lost five wickets for just 29 runs.

Irfan Khan attempted to revive the chase with an aggressive 37 from 35 balls, including two fours and three sixes. However, Wasim ended his resistance by bowling him at 198-7.

Wasim then removed Ahmed Daniyal for nine and Sufyan Moqim without scoring, leaving Blues struggling at 217-9 after 46 overs.

Hasan Ali kept the contest alive with a fighting 29 from 28 balls, smashing five fours, while Akif Javed remained unbeaten on five.

The final pair added 22 runs to take the match into the last over, but Dahani ended the resistance by dismissing Hasan at 239, sealing a dramatic six-run win for Pakistan Whites.

Wasim finished with 5-46 at an economy rate of 4.60, while Dahani returned 4-43. The victory earned Pakistan Whites two points, while Pakistan Blues finished without a point.

Brief Score

Pakistan Whites 245 all out (49.3 overs): Shahzaib Khan 71, Saad Masood 35, Usman Khan 29, Haris Rauf 27; Mohammad Faiq 3-36, Maaz Sadaqat 2-12.

Pakistan Blues 239 all out (49.4 overs): Maaz Sadaqat 59, Mohammad Faiq 54, Irfan Khan 37, Hasan Ali 29; Mohammad Wasim 5-46, Shahnawaz Dahani 4-43.

Pakistan Whites won by six runs.