In the Pakistan Cup’s second semi-final, Karachi Whites defeated Multan Region by 43 runs. The Pakistan Cup final will played between Karachi Whites vs Peshawar.
The match ended due to fading light, and the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method determined the outcome.
Zain Abbas and Sharjeel Khan from Multan had a tough time. Zain scored six runs from 13 balls before getting caught, while Sharjeel was dismissed without any runs from eight balls.
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But Haseebullah’s left-handed brilliance shone through, making a stunning 106 runs off 108 balls, including 12 fours and two sixes, holding firm till the end.
Sohaib Maqsood contributed 32 runs off 35 balls before being caught by Sarfaraz Ahmed off Nauman Ali’s bowling in the 15th over. Sharoon Siraj scored seven runs off 15 balls before being run out. Muhammad Shehzad and Muhammad Imran scored 26 (off 31 balls) and 28 (off 25 balls) respectively.
Sohail Khan led Karachi Whites’ bowling, grabbing four wickets by dismissing Imran, Zahid Mehmood, Faisal Akram, and Mohammad Sadaqat, conceding 44 runs. Ghulam Mudassar took two wickets, giving away 31 runs. Noman Ali and Asad Shafiq claimed one wicket each.
In the beginning, Karachi Whites’ openers, Shan Masood and Saim Ayub, put up a strong 106-run partnership. Masood scored 41 runs off 38 balls before departing in the 15th over. Ayub became the top scorer for Karachi Whites with 95 runs off 86 balls, including 12 fours and a maximum, before losing his wicket to Zahid Mehmood in the 26th over.
Habibullah added 40 runs off 45 balls before being dismissed by Muhammad Imran. Asad Shafiq managed only four runs off eight balls before leaving the field.
Danish Aziz contributed 33 runs off 42 balls before departing in the 41st over. Sarfaraz Ahmed scored 28 runs off 27 balls but was caught by Tahir Hussain, while Anwar Ali scored 22 runs off 14 balls before being bowled by Mohammad Sadaqat.
Imran from Multan took three crucial wickets, dismissing Shan Masood, Habibullah, and Azam Khan, conceding 58 runs. Faisal Akram and Mohammad Sadaqat claimed two wickets each, while Tahir Hussain and Zahid Mehmood got one wicket each.
Karachi Whites wrapped up their innings at 280 runs, losing all wickets in 44.3 overs, setting a 281-run target for victory. They’re now set to face Peshawar in the Pakistan Cup Final at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.