Ruthless Kamran takes Federal Areas into final

KARACHI: Skipper Kamran Akmal blasted 170 off 96 balls to put Federal Areas in the final when they overwhelmed Punjab by seven wickets in their day-night outing of Pakistan Cup National One-day Cricket Championship at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, on Tuesday.The Test wicket-keeper hammered 11 sixes and 15 fours in his explosive knock as Federal Areas romped to their third straight win when they chased the 307-run target in 35.1 overs after losing three wickets.Kamran completed his fifty off 34 balls, 100 off 69, and 150 off 86 deliveries. Earlier, Test stumper Mohammad Rizwan hit his career-best 140 to guide Punjab to 306 all out in 48.2 overs. Left-arm paceman Usman Shinwari got 5-51 in 9.2 overs.Kamran was merciless, punishing every bowler with big hits with an enviable ease. Kamran, who hit his second century of the tournament and 21st of his List A career, dominated a 104-run opening stand with the last match centurian Abid Ali (30), who got run out. Abid smacked four fours from 41 balls.After losing Sarmad Bhatti (5) soon afterwards, Kamran put on 65 for the third wicket with international hard-hitting batsman Sohaib Maqsood to make the target easier for Federal Areas.By the time leg-spinner Usama Mir removed Kamran, the seasoned batsman had already put his side within striking distance of victory. Sohaib did the rest with his tremendous power-hitting as the 31-year-old Multan-born batsman hammered seven sixes and five fours in his blistering 41-ball 77 not out. Hussain Talat remained not out on 14.The 22-year-old Usama got 2-96 in his quota of ten overs. Left-arm spinner Kashif Bhatti conceded 91 runs in ten overs. After being invited to bat first by Kamran, Punjab lost a couple of quick wickets. Left-arm pacer Usman Khan Shinwari gave an early breakthrough to Federal Areas when he got rid of Zain Abbas (4) cheaply. Soon afterwards, spinner Raza Hasan held Sahibzada Farhan (21) off his own bowling to reduce Punjab to 38-2 in the 12th over. But Mohammad Rizwan (140) and Asif Ali (64) batted with great responsibility and shared 168 for the third wicket to pave the way for a fighting total.Usman broke the dangerous partnership when he bowled Asif after the batsman had hammered four sixes and two fours in his run-a-ball knock. Rizwan, who hit his second century of the event, added 67 for the fourth wicket with Shoaib Malik. Rizwan smashed three sixes and 16 fours in his 123-ball effort, the best of his List A career.Left-arm pacer Waqas Maqsood dismissed Sohail Akhtar (2) to reduce Punjab to 280-5 in 43.2 overs. In the next over, Hussain Talat removed skipper Malik who hammered 33-ball 40 with three fours and one six.Usman blew the tail to fold Punjab for 306 in 48.2 overs.Kamran was declared man of the match. Ahmed Shahab and Ahsan Raza supervised the matcn. Asif Yaqoob was the television umpire and Khalid Mehmmod the reserve umpire. Iftikhar Ahmed was the match referee. On Wednesday (today), Sindh will take on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in another important game.

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