Pakistan National T20 Cup is underway and yesterday on 6 October two matches were scheduled from which one was between KP CP in Multan Cricket Stadium.
KP v CP | Pakistan National T20 Cup Match 13 Highlights
Fakhar Zaman’s half-century set Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the fourth straight time in the ongoing National T20 Cup First XI tournament when they beat Central Punjab by 29 runs on Tuesday at Multan Cricket Stadium.
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With a flaming 66 that emerged from 42 balls, Fakhar registered his second half century trotting and 20th overall in T20 cricket.
The 30-year-old got Khyber Pakhtunkhwa off to a solid start as he sewed a 45-run opening stand in 4.5 overs with captain Mohammad Rizwan, who made 23 of 14 balls, after he decided to hit first .
Fakhar, who shattered three fours and five sixs, then partnered with veteran Shoaib Malik, who scored an undefeated 24-ball 27 for 42 runs before being sacked by Zafar Gohar on the 14th.
Reflecting on his performance, Fakhar said, “My plan was to spend time on the field as the bowlers received early support. I wanted the ball to get a bit old before I played my strokes. I’m glad I was able to win for a second half century in a row because as a player, the ultimate goal is to win the game for your team.
“The fact that we have experienced players in Hafeez and Shoaib also helps a lot if they share their experience and knowledge. They help us read the terms both when hitting and setting up. Winning is a habit we developed after losing the first game. We enjoy our time here and have come together as a unit. “
The hit rate of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was massively increased by the 20 out of seven balls by Asif Afridi. The 33-year-old Peshawar-born hit two sixes and a four, bringing his team to 178 for seven.
The mid-paced right arm Ahmed Bashir was the bowler’s choice for Central Punjab with three for 32 in four overs. Zafar, Ehsan Adil, Qasim Akram and Usman Qadir each took a wicket.
Abid Ali’s lackluster run in the tournament continued when the right-handed batsman stepped out on the final ball of the opening chase after reaching a limit.
A 92-run stand for the second wicket between Kamran Akmal and Abdullah Shafiq gave Central Punjab fans hope for a second tournament win. They crashed, however, when Central Punjab slipped from one for 99 to six for 128 in a span of 23 balls after Kamran was overtaken by Shoaib’s 12th off-spin courtesy of Rizwan.
Kamran missed his 42nd T20 half-century by three runs when he scored 47 balls out of 37 while Abdullah scored a 37 ball 43. Both hit five boundaries each – four fours and six.
Central Punjab was pitted with four balls for 149. Arshad Iqbal, who played his first match of the tournament after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shaheen Shah Afridi rested, returned two for 20. Asif Afridi, Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz each took two gates.
The two teams will meet again on October 14th at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.
