Faisalabad, 7 November 2023: The fourth round of Hanif Mohammad Cup 2023-24 took place today at four venues across Faisalabad, Rahim Yar Khan and Multan. For Group A, Hyderabad and Abbottabad emerged victorious in their games against Bahawalpur and DM Jamali respectively. Quetta defeated Larkana and Islamabad beat Sialkot in the group B fixtures.
Group A
Hyderabad v Bahawalpur at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad:
After winning the toss, Hyderabad invited Bahawalpur to bat first at Iqbal Stadium. Bahawalpur ended their innings at 275 all out in the stipulated 45 overs. Mohammad Waseem Bhatti starred with the bat, hitting 71 in 85 deliveries, including nine boundaries. Abdul Hadi (53, 51b, 4x4s, 1x6) and Shahid Mirani (53, 26b, 4x4s, 4x6s) contributed crucial runs as well. Daniyal Hussain Rajput, Mohammad Suleman and Majid Asghar bagged three wickets apiece.
Hyderabad chased the target in 44 overs with five wickets to spare, on the back of outstanding batting by Mohammad Suleman. He produced an unbeaten century, hitting 109 runs from 93 deliveries, including 10 fours and two sixes. Zain-ul-Abidin (58, 79b, 7x4s) and Akbar Khan (43 not out, 23b, 6x4s, 1x6) were the other contributors with the bat. Kaleemullah and Shahid Mirani bagged two wickets each.
Abbottabad v DM Jamali at Bohranwali Ground, Faisalabad:
The decision to field first worked well for Abbottabad as DM Jamali were bundled over for 136 in 39.5 overs at Bohranwali Ground. Taimur Ali (34, 72b, 4x4s) and Zahoor Ahmed (30 not out, 27b, 3x6s) were the top scorers for the side. All Abbottabad bowlers returned with wickets; Imran Khan, Mansoor Ali and Khalid Usman claimed two scalps each.
It took Abbottabad 28 overs to get to 139, losing seven wickets in the process. Ahmad Khan’s half-century (54, 75b, 5x4s, 3x6s) was crucial to their chase. He was helped by Imran Khan, who scored 35 from 32, including four boundaries and a maximum. Talib Hussain took three wickets and Nasir Khan had two to his name.
Group B
Islamabad v Sialkot at Sheikh Khalifa Sports Complex, Rahim Yar Khan:
Islamabad were dismissed for 235 in the allotted 45 overs after choosing to bat first against Sialkot at Sheikh Khalifa Sports Complex. Hassan Nawaz (48, 52b, 5x4s, 3x6s) and Faizan Riaz (35, 41b, 2x4s, 1x6) were the prominent batters for the side. Asad Ali Jr got a four-fer while Usman Khalid took two wickets.
In turn, Sialkot were bowled out for 227 on the second delivery of the last over. Azan Tariq registered a four-wicket haul while Umair Afridi claimed three wickets to derail the Sialkot batters. Half-centuries by wicketkeeper batter Salman Khan (71, 69b, 8x4s, 1x6) and Asad Ali Jnr (52, 82b, 3x4s) took Sialkot within touching distance of the target, however, the side fell eight runs short.
Larkana v Quetta at Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan:
Larkana were bowled out for 171 in 41.3 overs after being put into bat first by Quetta at Multan Cricket Stadium. Mohsin Raza (43, 53b, 4x4s) was the highest scorer for the side while Mazhar Ali (30, 42b, 3x4s) also chipped in with the bat. Jalat Khan accounted for three wickets. Ehsanullah, Gohar Faiz and Najeebullah Jr returned with two scalps each.
Quetta completed the target of 172 in 29.3 overs with seven wickets to spare, on the back of half-centuries by Bismillah Khan (73, 65b, 5x4s, 2x6s) and Nadeem Ahmed (72 not out, 66b, 6x4s, 2x6s). Imtiaz Legari and Ali Asghar claimed a wicket each.
Scores in brief:
Group A
Hyderabad beat Bahawalpur by five wickets
Bahawalpur 275 all out, 45 overs (Mohammad Waseem Bhatti 71, Abdul Hadi 53, Shahid Mirani 53; Daniyal Hussain Rajput 3-36, Mohammad Suleman 3-38, Majid Asghar 3-76)
Hyderabad 277-5, 44 overs (Mohammad Suleman 109 not out, Zain-ul-Abidin 58, Akbar Khan 43 not out; Kaleemullah 2-59, Shahid Mirani 2-62)
Abbottabad beat DM Jamali by three wickets
DM Jamali 136 all out, 39.5 overs (Taimur Ali 34, Zahoor Ahmad 30 not out; Khalid Usman 2-14, Imran Khan 2-22, Mansoor Ali 2-27)
Abbottabad 139-7, 28 overs (Ahmad Khan 54, Imran Khan 35; Talib Hussain 3-41, Nasir Khan 2-23)
Group B
Islamabad beat Sialkot by eight runs
Islamabad 235 all out, 45 overs (Hassan Nawaz 48, Faizan Riaz 35; Asad Ali Jr 4-26, Usman Khalid 2-60)
Sialkot 227 all out, 44.2 overs (Salman Khan 71, Asad Ali Jr 52; Azan Tariq 4-47, Umair Afridi 3-38)
Quetta beat Larkana by seven wickets
Larkana 171 all out, 41.3 overs (Mohsin Raza 43, Mazhar Ali 30; Jalat Khan 3-12, Ehsanullah 2-32, Gohar Faiz 2-33, Najeebullah Jnr 2-38)
Quetta 172-3 29.3 (Bismillah Khan 73, Nadeem Ahmed 72 not out; Imtiaz Legari 1-25, Ali Asghar 1-30)
