Qasim Akram’s Central Punjab finally opened their account in Kingdom Valley National T20 Cup 2022-23 with an 11-run win over Sindh, thanks to Shoaib Malik’s all-round performance, at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Aamir Jamal’s exceptional performances with bat and ball – 47 not out off 17 and three for 27 – sealed a thriller for Northern as they beat Southern Punjab by five runs.
Shoaib Malik leads Central Punjab to maiden win
Experienced all-rounder Shoaib Malik blasted 54 not out off 33 (four fours and two sixes) to lift Central Punjab to 188 for five and then got crucial wicket of dangerous-looking Saim Ayub in his one for 16 off two overs in Central Punjab’s 11-run triumph over Sindh.Shoaib and Irfan Khan Niazi, who scored a blazing 33 not out off 14 hitting four sixes, added 64 runs in last 29 balls to help Central Punjab post a towering score.
Central Punjab were dealt serious blows in first and third over as Sohail Khan accounted for openers Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Akhlaq, but a solid 67-run partnership between Mohammad Faizan and Tayyab Tahir rescued side from a collapse.
Faizan was instrumental in attacking partnership with his brilliant 55 at a staggering strike rate of 229. He struck four sixes and six fours in his 24-ball knock before falling to leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed, who also dismissed Central Punjab captain Qasim Akram.
Tayyab, top-scorer in the tournament, made 33 off 28, hitting two fours and a six.
Sarfaraz Ahmed top-scored in match with an unbeaten 62, compiled at a strike rate of 168, but lack of support from other end allowed Central Punjab to earn their first win after four defeats.
Sindh looked on track of scaling down target but the dismissal of Saim in the seventh over altered the course of the match. Sindh, at time of Saim’s wicket, were cruising at 62 off just 6.3 overs. Saad Khan was bowled by Usama Mir in the next over and in the 15th over he sent Omair Bin Yousuf (37 off 29) and Danish Aziz back to pavilion as Sindh slipped to 122 for five.
