Karachi: An unbeaten 113 from Mukhtar Ahmed guided Southern Punjab to a six-wicket win over Balochistan in the second round match of Pakistan Cup One-Day Tournament 2020-21 for Second XIs at NBP Sports Complex in Karachi on Friday.
Central Punjab and Sindh also recorded victories against Northern and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa respectively at other two Karachi venues.
Balochistan vs Southern Punjab, NBP Sports Complex, Karachi:
After being put to bat first, Balochistan were dismissed for 229 in 49.1 overs. Abdul Rehman Muzammil top-scored with a 62-ball 45, which included four boundaries. Abdul Wahid Bangalzai (44) and Israr Ahmed (33) were other notable contributors with the bat.
For Southern Punjab, Ahsan Baig took three for 45, while Mohammad Irfan and Mohammad Ali Khan grabbed two wickets each.
Southern Punjab completed the chase in 43.5 overs scoring 231 runs for the loss of four wickets. Right-handed opening batsman Mukhtar Ahmed top-scored with an unbeaten 113 off 127 balls. His innings included 13 fours and a six. He contributed a 135-run partnership for the second wicket with Waqar Hussain, who scored 59 off 76 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa vs Sindh, KCCA Stadium, Karachi:
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa asked Sindh to bat first after winning the toss. Sindh were bundled out for 281 in 49.2 overs. Ammad Alam top-scored with a 68-ball 73, smashing seven fours and four sixes. Jahanzaib Sultan scored 43 off 48 balls, laced with six fours and a six. Both openers contributed 102 runs for the first wicket.
Other notable contribution came from Saim Ayub who scored 55 off 61 balls. His innings included two fours and as many sixes. Ramiz Aziz coming to bat at number five contributed a 52-ball 42, which included two boundaries.
For Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, right-arm fast Mohammad Amir Khan took five wickets for 54.
In reply, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were rolled over for 212 runs in the 46th over to hand a comfortable 69-run win to Sindh. Mohammad Sarwar Afridi top-scored with 79 off 91, which included 11 boundaries.
For Sindh, left-arm-spinner Arish Ali Khan took four wickets for 32 runs while Ghulam Mudassar grabbed three for 38.
Central Punjab vs Northern, TMC Ground, Karachi:
Northern were bowled out for 123 in 38.4 overs, after being put to bat. Sohail Akhtar top-scored with 39 off 73, hitting three fours and two sixes.
For Central Punjab, Kamran Afzal, Raza Ali Dar, Mohammad Ali, Sohaib Ullah and Haseeb ur Rehman Jr took two wickets each.
In reply, Central Punjab chased down the target for the loss of seven wickets in 36.3 overs. Mohammad Faiq top-scored with 39 off 68 balls, hitting two fours and a six.
For Northern, Salman Irshad and Farhan Shafiq took two wickets apiece.
Scores in brief:
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa vs Sindh, KCCA Stadium, Karachi:
Sindh 281 all out, 49.2 overs (Ammad Alam 73, Saim Ayub 55, Jahanzaib Sultan 43, Rameez Aziz 42; Mohammad Amir Khan 5-54)
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 212 all out, 45.4 overs (Mohammad Sarwar Afridi 79, Ashfaq Ahmed 28; Arish Ali Khan 4-32, Ghulam Mudassar 3-38, Hassan Khan 2-42)
Result: Sindh won by 69 runs
Central Punjab vs Northern, TMC Ground, Karachi:
Northern 123 all out, 38.4 overs (Sohail Akhtar 39; Kamran Afzal 2-11, Raza Ali Dar 2-14, Mohammad Ali 2-19, Sohaib Ullah 2-21, Haseeb ur Rehman Jr 2-56)
Central Punjab 124-7, 36.3 overs (Mohammad Faiq 39; Salman Irshad 2-18, Farhan Shafiq 2-21)
Result: Central Punjab won by three wickets
Balochistan vs Southern Punjab, NBP Sports Complex, Karachi:
Balochistan 229 all out, 49.1 overs (Abdul Rehman Muzammil 45, Abdul Wahid Bangalzai 44, Israr Ahmed 33; Ahsan Baig 3-45, Mohammad Irfan 2-31, Mohammad Ali Khan 2-46)
Southern Punjab 231-4, 43.5 overs (Mukhtar Ahmed 113 not out, Waqar Hussain 59)
Result: Southern Punjab won by six wickets