Punjab shines in Pakistan ODI Cup 2018 opener
Punjab defeated Balochistan by 7 wickets in the opening encounter of ongoing Pakistan Cup ODI cup 2018 played at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad.
After winning the toss Balochistan skipper Ahmed Shahzad decided to bat first and they posted a massive 365 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in 50 overs. Bismillah Khan and Naveed Malik came out to open from Balochistan but they lost an early wicket as Naveed Malik departed on just 9 individual runs. Skipper Ahmed Shahzad then came in the middle to support Bismillah Khan and both the batsmen added 173 runs for the second wicket.
Bismillah completed his century but he departed after posting a brilliant 106 runs on 105 balls with the help of 14 boundaries. Ahmed Shahzad remains unlucky as he returned back on 95 runs with the help of 6 boundaries and 3 massive sixes.
Mohammad Nawaz and Rameez Raja (jr) contributed 126 unbeaten runs for the fourth wicket partnership as both returned not out. Mohammad Nawaz scored 83 in 55 balls while Rameez Raja (jr) played a cameo of 51 in just 36 balls. Kashif bhatti only picked a wicket from Punjab for 59 runs in 10 overs.
In reply, Zain Abbas and Sahibzada Farhan provided a solid start of 92 runs for Punjab in 15 overs. Umar Gul runs Zain Abbas out on 47 runs. Wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan joined Farhan in the middle and both the batsmen scored centuries for Punjab and made the chase too easy for them. Sahibzada Farhan was bowled by Shaheen Shah Afridi on 155 runs as he broke the partnership of 238 runs between the two batsmen. Skipper Shoaib Malik was the next batsman and played a blinder of 21 runs in just 8 balls but returned too quickly as Mohammad Irfan removed him in the 49th over but Punjab chased down the score in 48.5 overs to win the match by 7 wickets.
Sahibzada Farhan scored 155 runs, Mohammad Rizwan remained unbeaten on 124 runs and Zain Abbas added 47 runs for Punjab. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Irfan picked 1 wicket each for Balochistan. Sahibzada Farhan for his glittering innings, was given Man of the match award.
Federal Area to face Khyber Pakhtunkhwa today in the second match of Pakistan cup 2018 at 2:30pm (PST).
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