Hurricane Farhat blows away Islamabad

Farhat hits 164 as HBL win in One Day National Cup.

Imran Farhat hit a whirlwind 164 off just 138 deliveries as HBL thrashed Islamabad Leopards by 187 runs in the One Day National Cup. Farhat’s innings, laced with 16 fours and four sixes, helped HBL reach 351 for four before Aslam Qureshi took three for 28 as Islamabad were bundled out for a paltry 164.

Sabir propels PIA to win

Agha Sabir impressed with both bat and ball as PIA won their fourth game in the tournament by defeating Karachi Dolphins by eight wickets. Sabir hit a superb hundred and took four for 43 as PIA first restricted Karachi to 193 for eight before chasing down the target in the 37th over.

SNGPL crush Rawalpindi

SNGPL replicated HBL’s performance as they defeated Rawalpindi Rams by 128 runs. Saleem Mughal hit 85 not out and Imran Khalid was unbeaten on 67 as SNGPL posted 309 before dismissing Rams for 181.

Nazir, Babar hit tons

It was a superb day for the teams batting first as Imran Nazir and Babar Azam hit superb centuries to help ZTBL crush Sialkot Stallions by 173 runs. ZTBL posted the highest total of the day, a huge 377 for three on the board, before Mohammad Khalil and Junaid Zia destroyed the Siakot batting line-up for 204.

Multan tie with NBP

The match between Multan Tigers and NBP ended in a dramatic tie as tons by Zain Abbas and Umar Amir went in vain. While Abbas’ 122 helped Tigers post a competitive 267, Amin made 121 to take NBP to the total before they lost their last wicket on the final ball.

Wapda prevail in low-scoring affair

Wapda won a low-scoring game by 53 runs against Faisalabad Wolves. Wapda posted a mediocre 181 for nine with Bilal Khilji hitting 61 not out. The total did not seem enough but Wapda bowlers stuck to the task as they dismissed Faisalabad for 128 in the 43rd over. Mohammad Waheed and Riffatullah claimed three wickets each.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2^nd, 2011.