Shaheen, Rizwan star as KP beat Balochistan in National T20 Cup

MULTAN: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) registered their first win in the ongoing National T20 Cup with a thumping eight-wicket victory over Balochistan in Multan today (Friday).

Captain Mohammad Rizwan led his side from the front in the run chase. The wicketkeeper-batsman was the top scorer with 57 off 42 deliveries with the help of five boundaries and two sixes.

Chasing the 153-run target, opener Fakhar Zaman scored three consecutive boundaries on the first three balls of the innings. However, he was soon dismissed by all-rounder Amad Butt for 25.

KPK captain Mohammad Rizwan then found an able ally in veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez as the duo struck a 66-run partnership in just 43 balls.

KPK faced a small roadblock as left-arm pacer Akif Javed removed Muhammad Hafeez for 45. The all-rounder hit five fours and three sixes in his 25-ball stay at the crease.

Earlier, Balochistan won the toss and elected to bat first. Balochistan posted 152/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi returned with match-winning figures of 5-20 in his four overs.

 After a blistering start by left-hand opener Awais Zia, left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi struck twice in the fourth over to remove Imamul Haq and Zia for 9 and 24, respectively.