The sixth round of Pakistan Cup 2023-24, played at four venues across Rawalpindi, AJK and Abbottabad, saw FATA and Rawalpindi win while the other two games were washed out due to wet conditions of the ground. FATA defeated Faisalabad by three wickets, on the back of a half-century by Mohammad Salman Khan Jnr. Abdul Faseeh’s century took Rawalpindi to a three-wicket win over Lahore Blues.
Rawalpindi v Lahore Blues at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Lahore Blues posted a total of 256-5 in the stipulated 45 overs after being put in to bat first by Rawalpindi at Pindi Cricket Stadium. Hussain Talat (69 not out, 67b, 6x4s, 2x6s) was the top run-getter for the team. Umar Siddiq also hit a half-century (51, 51b, 6x4s). Skipper Imran Butt contributed 37 from 52, including four boundaries.
Right-arm pacer Kashif Ali was the pick of the bowlers, getting two wickets to his name. Mehran Mumtaz, Bilawal Bhatti and Awais Anwar got a wicket apiece.
Rawalpindi, in response, got to 258-7 in 44.1 overs. Abdul Faseeh hit a century (114, 106b, 9x4s, 4x6s) to make the chase comfortable for his side. Umair Masood (44, 69b, 3x4s) and Raza-ul-Mustafa (37 not out, 34b, 3x4s) complemented Faseeh’s efforts to keep the game in their balance.
Right-arm pacer Umaid Asif picked up three wickets and was the most successful bowler for Lahore Blues. Salman Irshad, Usman Qadir, Hussain Talat and Kashif Bhatti returned with one scalp each.
FATA v Faisalabad at Mirpur Cricket Stadium, AJK
FATA won the toss and invited Faisalabad to bat first at Mirpur Cricket Stadium. They scored 229-8 in the allotted 45 overs. Asif Ali (78, 72b, 6x4s, 4x6s), who captained the side with Faheem Ashraf out with a concussion, was the highest scorer for the side. Bilal Mehdi (45, 65b, 3x4s) also contributed crucial runs to the total.
Shahid Aziz and Khushdil Shah returned with two wickets each.
In turn, FATA chased the target in the final over, getting to 231-7 in 44.2 overs. Mohammad Salman Khan Jnr (66, 74b, 6x4s, 1×6) hit a half-century to take the side over the line. Mohammad Sarwar Afridi (44, 52b, 3x4s, 1×6) was the other prominent contributor with the bat.
Khurram Shahzad picked up a four-wicket haul while Ali Asfand, Arshad Iqbal and Waqas Maqsood had a wicket each.
Multan v Karachi Whites at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Match abandoned due to unfavorable playing conditions.
Peshawar v Lahore Whites at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Abbottabad
Match abandoned due to unfavorable playing conditions.
Scores in brief:
Rawalpindi beat Lahore Blues by three wickets
Lahore Blues 256-5, 45 overs (Hussain Talat 69 not out, Umar Siddiq 51, Imran Butt 37; Kashif Ali 2-28, Mehran Mumtaz 1-31, Bilawal Bhatti 1-51, Awais Anwar 1-60)
Rawalpindi 258-7, 44.1 overs (Abdul Faseeh 114, Umair Masood 44, Raza ul Mustafa 37 not out; Umaid Asif 3-47, Hussain Talat 1-36, Usman Qadir 1-45, Kashif Bhatti 1-48, Salman Irshad 1-50)
FATA beat Faisalabad by three wickets
Faisalabad 229-8, 45 overs (Asif Ali 78, Bilal Mehdi 45; Khushdil Shah 2-36, Shahid Aziz 2-37
FATA 231-7, 44.2 overs (Mohammad Salman Khan Jr 66, Mohammad Sarwar Afridi 44; Khurram Shahzad 4-32, Waqas Maqsood 1-28, Ali Asfand 1-46, Arshad Iqbal 1-54)
