Kamran Ghulam’s unbeaten century gives KP second successive Win
Lahore (MNP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kamran Ghulam unbeaten 123 led his side to a six-wicket win over Balochistan in the third-round match of the Pakistan Cup 2022-23 here at the State Bank Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday. In other matches of the third round, Central Punjab overcame Southern Punjab by 25 runs, while Sindh defeated Northern by 29 runs.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa v Balochistan, State Bank Stadium
The match which was live-streamed on PCB’s YouTube channel saw a one-minute silence observed by both teams and match officials before the start of play for Balochistan’s assistant coach and former first-class cricketer Raj Hans, who passed away earlier this morning.
After being asked to bat first by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s captain Sajid Khan, the defending champions Balochistan scored 313 for eight in 50 overs courtesy half-centuries by Bismillah Khan (88 not out, 69b, 11×4, 2×6) and Imran Butt (76, 80b, 10×4).
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Ihsanullah took three wickets for 72 in 1o overs, while Mohammad Imran bagged two for 69.
In return, the right-handed Kamran Ghulam scored an unbeaten 123 off 115 balls, smashing six fours and as many sixes to help his side chase down the target in 49 overs. He was equally supported by Waqar Ahmed, who scored an 86-ball 87, hitting nine fours and two sixes. Kamran and Waqar stitched a 125-run partnership for the third wicket. Khushdil Shah was other notable run-getter for the winning side, scoring 47 off 50 balls, laced with one four and three towering sixes.
For the losing side, Amad Butt and Khurram Shahzad grabbed two wickets apiece.
Central Punjab v Southern Punjab, NBP Sports Complex
In the Punjab Derby, Central Punjab captain Aamer Yamin’s economical spell of bowling led his side to a 25-run win Southern Punjab in a low-scoring match. Opting to bat first, Central Punjab were dismissed for 153 in the 35th over, with opening batter Mohammad Faizan top-scoring with 40 off 51 balls, which included five fours and one six. Zafar Gohar, batting at number eight, scored a handful 43-ball 36, smashing three fours and two sixes.
