FAISALABAD: Brighto Paint Balochistan have registered their first Pakistan Cup 2016 win, beating Cookania Cake Rusk Punjab by 12 runs in a thrilling match at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad.
Punjab captain Shoaib Malik invited Balchostan to bat first after winning the toss on a dry surface.
The plan seemed to work early on as they took the key wicket of Azhar Ali in the very second over.
New comer Mohammad Hasan and Babar Azam took their time and built up an impressive partnership of 47 runs when Hasan (21) top edged an arma ball from Zulfiqar Babar.
Balochistan were 50-2 when Umar Akmal joined Babar on the crease, the duo kept scoring runs at a good pace formed another 34 runs partnership, this time Barbar was the goner with 41 in the bag.
Umar Akmal and Shahid Yusuf posted 65 quick runs on the board together for the fourth wicket when Umar Akmal (47) in an attempt to bring up his half ton in style, missed an sharp off-spinner from Malik and was clean bowled.
His departure was the major turn around of Balochistan’s innings, from 149-3 at stage, they bundle out 215 in 46th over.
Shahid Yusuf (49) was the top scorer for Balochistan, he missed half centuries by just one run.
Amir Yameen with his 36-2 (10) and Ehsan Adil 27-2 (9.2) were impressive from Punjab, Zulfiqar Babar also took two for 42 in his 10.
Punjab in respond were off to a very slow start. Despite having a very strong batting lineup with likes of Salman Butt, Shan Masood, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Rizwan and Asad Shafiq, they had their 8 men sent back on 151.
Thanks to you Amad Butt and Zulfiqar Babar who brought the match so close.
Asad Shafiq (33) and Mohammad Rizwan (39) were only two batsman from top order to perform well. Malik departed for only 2 runs.
Amad Butt (33*) down the order took the match so closed that at one place, it looked quite easier for Punjab to win this game,, but impressive bowling from Umar Gul and Junaid took it away from Balochistan.
Azhar Ali took three very crucial wickets to bring his team back on track, he was awarded man of The Match for this performance.
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