Larkana, Quetta Secure First National T20 Wins

Lahore: (Web Desk) – Larkana Region and Quetta Region registered their maiden wins of the ABS Developers presents University of Lahore National T20 Cup Qualifier with convincing performances at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

In the opening fixture, Larkana defended a modest 132-run target to defeat AJK Region by 16 runs in a gripping contest.

Larkana’s pace spearhead Shahnawaz Dahani set the tone early, removing Hasan Raza for a duck in the opening over. Mushtaq Ahmed struck immediately in the next over, dismissing Husnain Nadeem without scoring to leave AJK reeling at 5-2.

Hasnain Shamir steadied the innings with a patient 37 off 37 balls, adding 26 runs with Awais Akram Minhas. However, Mushtaq returned to break the stand and continued to make regular inroads. A 67-run partnership between Hasnain and Arslan Mehzood briefly revived AJK’s hopes, but once Asif Ali Chandio dismissed Mehzood, the innings unraveled quickly.

Needing 34 runs from the final six overs with six wickets in hand, AJK collapsed dramatically, losing their last seven wickets for just 17 runs in 27 deliveries to be bowled out for 115 in 18.3 overs.

Mushtaq delivered a match-winning spell of 4 for 14 — his best T20 figures — while Dahani (3-17) and Asif Ali Chandio (2-28) provided excellent support.

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Earlier, Larkana battled to 131-8 after opting to bat in a rain-delayed start. Malhar Rasool provided early impetus with a brisk 32 off 17 balls, while Zahid Hussain anchored the innings with a steady 33. Captain Zahid Mehmood chipped in during the middle overs to push the total past 100, and useful late contributions from the lower order proved decisive in the end.

In the second match, Quetta Region produced a dominant batting display to chase down Islamabad Region’s challenging 177-run target with eight wickets in hand.

Islamabad got off to a quick start and were propelled by a 64-run stand between Ali Imran (45) and Naseerullah Khan (25). A late flourish from Rizwan Ali, who smashed 40 off just 19 balls, lifted them to 177-7 in their 20 overs. Muhammad Junaid and Khalil Ahmed claimed two wickets apiece for Quetta.

In response, Quetta lost an early wicket but then witnessed a spectacular 156-run partnership between Abdul Wahid Bangalzai and Bismillah Khan that completely shifted the momentum.

Bismillah hammered 80 off 44 balls, striking six fours and five sixes, while Bangalzai remained unbeaten on 85 from 59 deliveries — his highest T20 score. He sealed the victory in emphatic fashion in the 19th over, smashing 18 runs off Musa Khan to guide Quetta home at 179-2 in 18.5 overs.

With the result, Islamabad and Karachi Blues sit atop Pool A with four points each, separated by net run rate. Quetta and Larkana have opened their accounts with two points apiece, while AJK are yet to register a win.

Thursday’s Fixtures:
Hyderabad vs Bahawalpur – 7:00pm PKT
Dera Murad Jamali vs Rawalpindi – 11:15pm PKT