Report: Abdul Jabbar Faisal & Abdullah Asjad
ISLAMABAD (January 23, 2023): KPK Warriors and Kashmir Janbaaz recorded victories on the opening day of the Kingdom Valley All-Stars Super League (ASSL) after beating their respective challengers Baluchistan Bulls and Punjab Panthers respectively by 23 runs and 1 wicket at two different venues here on Monday.
Chairman Kingdom Valley Ghulam Hussain Shahid graced the opening ceremony as chief guest. All the participating teams were introduced to him. On this occasion, GH Shahid assured the players to provide maximum support to the players. Abdul Waheed Sheikh and Waqar Ahmed Khan were also present on this eve.
At Marghzar cricket ground, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) defeated Baluchistan by 23 runs. Baluchistan skipper won the coin’s battle and decided to chase a set target in 20 overs per innings fixture. KPK posted 137 for 8 runs total on the board, as Zohab Khan was top scorer with 46 runs. He faced 45 balls and hit five boundaries during his sparking innings. Adeel Shahzad contributed 35 runs in 28 balls while Farooq Ahmed 12 runs in 10 balls. Khawar (2 for 24) Mohammad Akram (2 for 28), Nizam (1 for 17), Tenvir Khan (1 for 27) and Ali Bakhsh (1 for 39) were the wicket-taker bowlers for Baluchistan.
While cashing 138 runs in 20 overs, Baluchistan could score 114 runs in 20 overs and lost their last batter on the final ball of the match. Tenvir Khan played a responsible innings of 37 runs in 41 balls. He smashed three fours and two big sixes. Tauqeer scored 18 runs while Mohammad Akram 13 runs, as the rest of the batters could show any notable performance. Sabaz Ali snared 4 batters of opposite team with is magical bowling after conceding just 16 runs, as he was judged best player of the match on his sparking bowling performance. Gulzar Khan grabbed three wickets for 18, Mohammad Adeel got 2 for 13 while Sanaullah took one wicket a piece for 13 runs.
Summarized Scorecard (Baluchistan Bulls vs KPK Warriors)
KPK beat Balochistan by 23 runs
Toss: Balochistan won and decided to field first
Venue: Marghzar Cricket Ground
KPK Warriors (Batting) 137 for 8 in 20 overs
Zohab Khan 46 runs (45 balls, 4x5, 6x0), Adeel Shahzad 35 runs (28 balls, 4x2, 6x2), Farooq Ahmed 12 runs (10 balls, 4x1, 6x0)
Baluchistan Bowling:
Khawar (2 for 24) Mohammad Akram (2 for 28), Nizam (1 for 17), Tenvir Khan (1 for 27), Ali Bakhsh (1 for 39)
Baluchistan (Batting) 114 all out in 20 overs
Tenvir Khan 37 runs (41 balls, 4x3, 6x2), Tauqeer 18 runs (20 balls, 4x3, 6x0), Mohammad Akram 13 runs (16 balls, 4x2, 6x0)
KPK Warriors Bowling:
Sabaz Ali (4 for 16), Gulzar Khan (3 for 18) Mohammad Adeel (2 for 13), Sanaullah (1 for 13)
Man of the Match: Sabaz Ali
Umpires: Nadeem Kawaja, Mohammad Ishtiaq
Match Referee: Ghulam
Scorer: Mohammad Abdullah
At Shalimar Cricket Ground, Kashmir Janbaaz claimed a thrilling one-wicket win over Punjab Panthers. Kashmir Warriors captain won the toss and put Punjab Panthers into bat first, as they managed 146 for 9 runs on the board in 20 overs. Ashan Khalil scored the first fifty of the tournament 50 runs in 37 balls with the help of seven boundaries. Abdul Manan 23 runs (18 balls, 4x3, 6x0), Asad Laghari 17 runs (18 balls, 4x3, 6x0) and Abdul Salam 13 runs (17 balls, 4x2, 6x0) other major run scorers. Raja Fiaz (2 for 19), Ghub Sher (2 for 22), Inam-ullah Khan (1 for 18), Irfan Khan (1 for 21) and Naseeb Abbasi (1 for 37) were the successful bowlers of Kashmir Janbaaz.
Kashmir Janbaaz achieved their target on the last ball of the match, as the last batters were on the pitch and they scampered home on the final delivery of the match and pocketed a single wicket triumph in the tournament. Irfan Khan was topper runs getter with 24 in 18 balls including one four and two massive sixes. Raja Fiaz 23 runs (25 balls, 4x1, 6x1) and Rafiullah Khan 21 runs (13 balls, 4x2, 6x1) were other remarkable performances. For Punjab Panthers, Abdul Manan (2 for 17), Najam-ul-Hasan (2 for 11), Sameer (1 for 14), Abdul Salam (1 for 31) and Asad Laghari (1 for 14) were the wicket-taker bowlers. Raja Fiaz was declared man of the match on his all-rounder show.
Summarized Scorecard (Punjab Panthers vs Kashmir Janbaaz)
Kashmir Janbaaz beat Punjab Panther by 1 wicket
Toss: Kashmir Janbaaz won the toss and elected to field first
Venue: Shalimar Cricket Ground
Punjab Panthers (Batting) 146 for 9 runs in 20 overs
Ashan Khalil 50 runs (37 balls, 4x7, 6x0), Abdul Manan 23 runs (18 balls, 4x3, 6x0), Asad Laghari 17 runs (18 balls, 4x3, 6x0), Abdul Salam 13 runs (17 balls, 4x2, 6x0)
Kashmir Janbaaz Bowling:
Raja Fiaz (2 for 19), Ghub Sher (2 for 22), Inam-ullah Khan (1 for 18), Irfan Khan (1 for 21), Naseeb Abbasi (1 for 37)
Kashmir Janbaaz (Batting) Target 147 in 20 overs
Irfan Khan 24 runs (18 balls, 4x1, 6x2), Raja Fiaz 23 runs (25 balls, 4x1, 6x1), Rafiullah Khan 21 runs (13 balls, 4x2, 6x1)
Punjab Panther Bowling:
Najam-ul-Hasan (2 for 11), Asad Laghari (2 for 14), Abdul Manan (2 for 17), Sameer (1 for 14), Abdul Salam (1 for 31)
Player of the Match: Raja Fiaz (Kashmir Janbaaz)
Umpires: Taimoor Kayani, Mohammad Ishfaq
Match Referee: Ghulam Mustafa
Scorer: Raja Hasan Akhtar
