Report: Rasheed Ahmed
Bahawalpur (October 24, 2024): Khyber Paktunkawa (KPK) and Balochistan defeated their opponents Sindh, andPunjab respectively in the 8th edition of the PBCC Blind Cricket T-20 Super League 2024 here at Dring Stadium on Thursday.
Game-5 (KPK beat Sindh by 6 wickets):
KP won the toss and opted to field first, sending Sindh in to bat. Sindh struggled to get going and managed to post a below-par total of 153/4 in their 20 overs. Despite steady contributions from Babar Ali, who top-scored with 34 runs, Sanaullah (30), Badar Munir (27), and Muhammad Safdar (24), Sindh's batters couldn’t accelerate as needed to set a challenging target. Hamza added a late 16 runs, but the team failed to capitalize on their starts. KP’s bowling was led by Muhammad Shahzeb, who took 2 wickets, while Anees Javed claimed 1 wicket, keeping Sindh's scoring in check.
In reply, KP chased down the target comfortably, reaching 154/4 in just 18 overs to secure a 6-wicket victory. Kamran anchored the chase with an unbeaten 53 off 39 balls, supported by Sanwal's 44 runs. Salman contributed a crucial 26 not out. Babar Ali’s bowling efforts were a bright spot for Sindh, as he took all 4 wickets that fell during the chase, but it wasn’t enough to defend the modest total.
Man of the Match: Babar Ali
Game-6 (Balochistan beat Punjab by 5 wickets): In an exhilarating conclusion to the match, the Balochistan Blind Cricket team showcased remarkable determination as they chased down a challenging target of 201 runs set by Punjab, winning the game on the very last ball of the 20th over.
Punjab Blind batted first and posted an impressive total of 200/8 in their allotted 20 overs. The innings was highlighted by Haroon Khan, who played a superb knock of 61 off 41 balls, anchoring the team's performance. Mati Ullah contributed 35 runs, while Nisar Ali added a valuable 32 off 24 balls. Zafar Iqbal chipped in with 20 runs, and Mohsin scored 26 to boost the total. Asif Khan and Ayub Khan each claimed a wicket for the bowling side, but Punjab's steady batting ensured a challenging target for their opponents.
In response, Balochistan set out with a positive intent, led by Niamatullah, whose explosive innings of 84 off 53 balls pierced through the Punjab bowling attack. Moain Aslam played a pivotal role in the chase as well, smashing 70 runs off just 39 balls, keeping the required run rate within reach. However, the chase wasn't without its challenges. Balochistan lost wickets at crucial times, creating pressure, but the steady partnership between Niamatullah and Moain proved crucial.
Haroon Khan, who had starred with the bat, also made vital contributions with the ball, taking 3 wickets, including the key scalp of Niamatullah, to swing the momentum back in Punjab's favor momentarily. Mohsin Khan chipped in with another wicket, but Balochistan responded well, maintaining their composure and looking to the end of the innings.
As the final over approached, the tension mounted with Balochistan needing 11 runs to win in the last over. In a nail-biting finish, they managed to score the required runs on the last ball, sealing a thrilling victory by 5 wickets.
Man of the Match: Niamatullah.
