Unstoppable Shan takes Islamabad into National ODI Cup final
Islamabad thrashed Rawalpindi in a high scoring nail-biter by 13 runs to qualify for the final of National ODI cup for regions at Rawalpindi cricket stadium.
Rawalpindi captain Mohammad Hafeez won the toss and put Islamabad to bat first in the second semifinal. Islamabad posted a huge total of 380 runs for the loss of only 2 wickets on the board, courtesy skipper Shan Masood’s unbeaten 182 runs while Babar Azam played a knock of 136 runs.
Shan Masood and Babar Azam contributed 283 runs partnership for the second wicket. Shan Masood hit 20 boundaries while hammered 1 big six and Babar Azam scored 13 fours and 5 huge 6’s in their innings. Opener Abid Ali scored 36 runs and Faizan Riaz remained not out on 12 runs.
Rawalpindi skipper used 7 bowlers but only two of them Attaullah and Yasir Ali were successful to take wickets as both picked up 1 wicket apiece.
Rawalpindi although lost 3 wickets on 84 runs but they fought back as Iftikhar Ahmed and Saud Shakeel contributed 146 runs for the 4th wicket partnership. Saud Shaakeel fall prey on 230 runs as he scored 70 runs. Zeeshan Malik played a cameo of 31 runs of 16 balls but in the 46th over, Shahzad Azam runs Iftikhar Ahmed out on his individual score of 123 runs while Rawalpindi still needed 50 runs on 27 balls.
His partner, Umair Masood played a blinder as he scored 50 of 34 balls with 2 fours and 4 sixes but all his efforts went in vain and Rawalpindi fall 13 runs short of required runs as they managed to score 367 runs for 9 wickets in 50 overs.
Hamza Nadeem was pick up of the bowlers from Islamabad as he picked up 3 wickets while Nauman Ali got 2 wickets and Shahzad Azam, Ahmed Bashir got 1 wicket each.
Final will be played between Karachi whites and Islamabad on Sunday 11th February at Rawalpindi cricket stadium.
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