Kamran Ghulam’s unbeaten century gives KP third win in Pakistan Cup

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kamran Ghulam scored his second century in the ongoing Pakistan Cup 2022-23 to lead his side to an 83-run win over Northern at the State Bank Stadium in Karachi. This was Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s third win in the tournament from six outings.

In other sixth round fixtures, Saim Ayub’s century led Sindh to a six-wicket win over defending champions Balochistan, while Hasan Ali-led Southern Punjab defeated Central Punjab by 97 runs.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa v Northern, State Bank Stadium

Kamran Ghulam, who was named in Pakistan’s Test squad for New Zealand series earlier today, struck an unbeaten century to help his side post 351 for four, after they were put into bat by Northern’s captain Umar Amin in the match which was live-streamed at the PCB’s YouTube channel. Coming to bat at number three, the right-handed Kamran top-scored with a 92-ball 118 not out, smashing four fours and eight towering sixes.

Alongside Kamran, four half-centuries were scored in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa innings which included wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris (61, 25b, 4×4, 5×6), Sahibzada Farhan (58, 59b, 8×4, 1×6), Khushdil Shah (52, 49b, 5×4, 2×6) and Waqar Ahmed (50, 75, 6×4).

For Northern, Mehran Mumtaz bagged two wickets for 45.

In return, Northern were dismissed for 268 in the 47^th over, handing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa a comfortable 83-run win. For Northern, only Umar Akmal (76, 71b, 5×4, 3×6) and Mubasir Khan (63, 74b, 3×4, 5×6) managed to score half-centuries.

Ihsanullah bagged five wickets for the winning team giving away 49 runs from 8.2 overs.

Sindh v Balochistan, NBP Sports Complex

Chasing 254 to win, Sindh’s opening batter Saim Ayub struck a century to achieve the target in the 42^nd over with six wickets in hand. The southpaw Saim was joined by experienced Sharjeel Khan (36, 16b, 3×4, 4×6) and the pair added 54 runs for the first wicket. After the departure of Sharjeel, Sindh lost two wickets in quick succession with scorecard reading 111 for three. At that time, Saim was joined by Mohammad Suleman and the pair stitched a 105-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Saim scored 102 off 99, hitting nine fours and one six and went back to the pavilion with 216 runs on the board. Suleman was joined by Danish Aziz and the pair made sure the target was achieved with none of the two going back to the hut.

Suleman returned undefeated on a 75-ball 66, laced with three fours and one six, while Danish scored an unbeaten 16 off 24 balls, which included one six.

For the losing side, Kashif Bhatti bagged three wickets for 38 from 10 overs.

Earlier, after being asked to bat first, Balochistan were bowled out for 253 in the 48^th over. Opener and wicketkeeper-batter Haseebullah scored a 110-ball 107, studded with 11 fours.

Sindh’s Danish with his left-arm spin bagged three wickets for 50, while right-arm fast Shahnawaz Dahani took two for 45 from nine overs.

Southern Punjab v Central Punjab, UBL Sports Complex

In the Punjab-Derby, Southern Punjab on the back of an all-round performance by Hassan Khan defeated Central Punjab by 97 runs. Batting first, Southern Punjab managed to score 274 for eight in 50 overs. Zain Abbas top-scored for his side with an 80-ball 69, hitting nine fours and one six. Hassan, coming to bat at number eight, returned undefeated on 48 off 22 balls faced, smashing three fours and as many sixes. Sharoon Siraj was the other notable run getter with a 67-ball 45, which included five fours and one six.

For Central Punjab, their captain Aamer Yamin led from the front, taking four wickets for 54 from 10 overs. Leg-spinner Usama Mir bagged two scalps for 39 runs.

In reply, Central Punjab were bundled out for 177 in 38 overs, with Ahmed Shehzad top-scoring for his side with a 56-ball 54, hitting nine boundaries. Southern Punjab’s Arafat Minhas was the top wicket-taker for the winning team, grabbing four wickets for 34, while Faisal Akram took three wickets. Hassan took two for 35 from his eight overs.

Scores in brief:

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa beat Northern by 83 runs

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 351-4, 50 overs (Kamran Ghulam 118 not out, Mohammad Haris 61, Sahibzada Farhan 58, Waqar Ahmed 50; Mehran Mumtaz 2-45)

Northern 268 all out, 46.2 overs (Umar Akmal 76, Mubasir Khan 63, Zeeshan Malik 33, Umar Amin 32; Ihsanullah 5-49)

Player of the match – Kamran Ghulam (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)

Sindh beat Balochistan by six wickets

Balochistan 253 all out, 47.5 overs (Haseebullah 107; Danish Aziz 3-50, Shahnawaz Dahani 2-45)

Sindh 254-4, 41.1 overs (Saim Ayub 102, Mohammad Suleman 66 not out, Sharjeel Khan 36; Kashif Bhatti 3-38)

Player of the match – Saim Ayub (Sindh)

Southern Punjab beat Central Punjab by 97 runs

Southern Punjab 274-8, 50 overs (Zain Abbas 69, Hassan Khan 48 not out, Sharoon Siraj 45; Aamer Yamin 4-54, Usama Mir 2-39)

Central Punjab 177 all out, 38 overs (Ahmed Shehzad 54; Arafat Minhas 4-34, Faisal Akram 3-41, Hassan Khan 2-35)

Player of the match – Hassan Khan (Southern Punjab)

Points Table of Pakistan Cup 2022-2023 after sixth round