ISLAMABAD: A brilliant unbeaten double hundred by Abid Ali (209 not out) helped Islamabad crush Peshawar by 233 runs in the last round robin league match to qualify for the semi-finals of the National One-Day Cup for Regions at the Arbab Niaz Stadium in Peshawar on Tuesday.
Abid’s innings was the highest ever recorded in Pakistan domestic cricket surpassing 204 runs innings played by Khalid Latif.Karachi Whites, Rawal-pindi, Peshawar and Islamabad now have entered the semi-finals of the tournament.
In the first semi-final to be played at the Pindi Stadium tomorrow (Thursday), Karachi Whites will take on Peshawar while Islamabad will be up against Rawalpindi on February 9.Karachi Whites, Rawalpindi and Peshawar have 12 points each. Karachi, however, topped the league with better run rate followed by Rawalpindi and then Peshawar. Islamabad, Lahore Blues and Faisalabad have six points each. Islamabad made it to the semi-finals with a better run rate.
The rare double hundred in the 50-overs aside match by the opener Abid saw Islamabad amassing 374 for the loss of Shan Masood (71) wicket. Then in an amazing turn around, Peshawar team were bowled out on their home turf for just 141, enabling Islamabad chalking out their biggest win. Nabi Gul (42) was the only note able run getter for Peshawar.
Abid stunned Peshawar bowlers with a powerful hitting smashing 24 boundaries and five sixes during his 156-ball knock. Together with Shan, he put on 176 for the opening wicket and then raised another 198 for the unbroken second wicket with Faizan Riaz (76 not out) to get a huge total.
Peshawar, in reply, kept on losing wickets at regular intervals and got bowled out for just 141 runs in 38 overs.Part timer Shahid Yousaf (3-8), Nauman Ali (2-23), Ahmad Bashir (2-25) and Raza Hasan (2-39) bowled well for Islamabad.
Scores in brief: At Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar: Islamabad 374-1 in 50 overs (Abid Ali 209 not out, Faizan Riaz 76 not out, Shan Masood 71; Imran Khan Sr 1-72). Peshawar 141-10 in 48 overs (Nabi Gul 42, Sahibzada Farhan 24, Ubaidullah 21, Mehran Ibrahim 20; Shahid Yousaf 3-8 Nouman Ali 2-23, Ahmed Bashir 2-25, Raza Hasan 2-39). Result: Islamabad won by 233 runs.
At Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi: Lahore Region Whites 239-8 in 50 overs (Usman Salahuddin 92, Umar Saddique 61, Adnan Akmal 35; Muhammad Asghar 3-39 Anwar Ali 2-41, Ziaul Haq 2-51). Karachi Region Whites 241-1 in 39 overs (Khurram Manzoor 143 not out, Asad Shafiq 70; Asfand Mehran 1-45). Result: Karachi Region Whites won by 9 wickets.
At KRL Ground, Rawalpindi: Fata Region 320-8 in 50 overs (Khushdil Shah 96, Mukhtar Ahmed 77, Fawad Khan 52, Ahsan Hafeez Bhatti 39; Saud Shakeel 2-48, Yasir Ali 2-49). Rawalpindi Region 324-5 in 49-5 overs (Saud Shakeel 134 not out, Iftikhar Ahmed 91, Behram Khan 35, Zeeshan Malik 23; Sohail Akhtar 2-27). Result: Rawalpindi Region won by 5 wickets.
At Diamond Ground, Islamabad: Lahore Region Blues 235-10 in 48.4 overs (Muhammad Saad 89, Salman Ali Agha 38, Umar Akmal 28; Faheem Ashraf 3-29, Muhammad Imran 3-46). Faisalabad Region 239-7 in 49.5 overs (Khurram Shahzad 77, Muhammad Imran 55, Ali Shan 27 not out, Faheem Ashraf 26; Qaiser Ashraf 3-43, Aizaz Cheema 2-42). Result: Faisalabad Region won by 3 wickets.
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