Comfortable win: After the match was cut short due to rain, Wapda managed only 212 runs in their 43 overs, which Hyderabad Hawks chased comfortably with seven wickets and 14 balls to spare. PHOTO COURTESY: TAQVEEM SHAH
The match was cut short to a 43-over affair after the start was delayed due to a light drizzle.
Put into bat, Wapda only managed 212 with the loss of eight wickets in 43 overs as Babar took three wickets giving away 40 runs.
Wapda were hardly ever in a strong position as Babar took out both openers as Muhammad Fayaz (10) was caught leg before wicket and Iftikhar Ahmed (five) was bowled out in the early stage for just 29 runs.
Mir Ali took two wickets by dismissing wicketkeeper Rafatullah Mohmand (26) and Adnan Raees (one) at a team total of 76 runs. Wapda’s middle-order batsmen then stayed on the crease for a while, after which Aamer Sajjad (39) was dismissed by Lal Kumar and skipper Naveedul Hassan (31) was accounted for by Nasir Awais.
Ayaz Tasawwar was the highest scorer from Wapda with his 40-run strike which came to an end as Babar took his third wicket and Khalid Usman (19) was caught and bowled by Awais, while Zulfiqar Babar added 26 runs to the team’s total in the end.
In reply, Hawks, despite losing their opener Haris Khan (two), reached the target with a loss of three wickets and 14 balls to spare as Athar, the top scorer of the tournament, struck 68 off 78 balls, smashing eight fours and one six and paved way for an unbeaten 110-run partnership with Laghari, who scored 55 off 39 balls with three fours and three sixes.
Zeeshan Gul was run out on 37 by Khalid Usman, while Usman also dismissed the captain Azeem Ghumman on 32.
Wapda skipper Naveed felt he did not bat up to the mark, which resulted in the loss. “We had enjoyed an excellent season by winning all four pool matches but losing here is a great loss,” Naveed told The Express Tribune.
“Had I been in the middle till the 40th over, we could’ve given a strong target. I’m disappointed with myself for scoring low, but we cannot let this affect us in our next match against Faisalabad Wolves.”
Meanwhile, the talented right-handed batsman Athar remained confident that the Hawks have a perfect blend of seniors and juniors to defeat any side.
“The youngsters are in excellent form, which gives us an edge over other teams in the tournament,” said Athar. “Wapda was a strong side, but team effort led us to victory and I am sure we will win the next match with Wolves on Thursday.
“Today we reached the target with half of our team the remaining players are also in well form.”
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