Anwar, Saad shine in Sindh's 349-run chase against Southern Punjab

Sindh continued their winning streak in Pakistan Cup as they chased down a 349-run target courtesy an unbroken sixth-wicket partnership of 145 runs between captain Anwar Ali and Saad Ali against Southern Punjab at the State Bank Stadium Karachi on Sunday to further consolidate their position at the top of the table.

This was Sindh’s seventh win in nine games and they now sit pretty at the top of the six-team table with 14 points and a confirmed spot in the semi-finals.

Sindh won the toss and opted to field first. Southern Punjab batsmen made full use of the batting friendly conditions by posting a 348 for four total in the allotted 50 overs. Captain Shan Masood led from the front as he posted the 13th List A century of his career. The left-handed scored 125 off 141 balls, hitting 13 fours and one six.

Shan added 200 runs for the second-wicket with Sohaib Maqsood who scored a scintillating 130 off only 79 balls, his second century of the tournament. The right-hander played a series of attacking shots smashing as many as 10 sixes besides hitting nine fours in his innings. Sohaib who has been in fine form in the event has now scored 433 runs in nine innings at 48.11.

Hussain Talat contributed a quickfire 46 off 35 balls to help Southern Punjab to their formidable total. Fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain took two wickets giving away a mere 38 runs in his 10-over spell amid the onslaught by the Southern Punjab batsmen.

Sindh got off to a cautious start as openers Khurram Manzoor (34) and Ahsan Ali (18) added 39 runs for the first-wicket. A 75-run partnership for the third-wicket between Asad Shafiq (62 off 61 balls, seven fours) and Saad Ali provided the platform for batsmen to follow with the experienced Asad scoring a fine half-century for his side.

Left-hander Danish Aziz continued his fine batting form as he contributed 65 off 61 balls (eight fours, one six). Captain Anwar Ali joined Saad with the score at 204; the two took the attack to the Southern Punjab bowlers in pursuit of the big target.

Both batsmen kept the asking rate in control by scoring important boundaries; they completely dominated the hapless Southern Punjab bowlers in the final stages of the match, completing the chase in 46.5 overs with 19 balls to spare.

Saad remained unbeaten on 78 off 54 balls (nine fours, one six). Anwar finished 69 not out, he faced a mere 34 balls and hit three fours and five sixes.

Anwar and Saad were jointly awarded the players-of-the-match award. Southern Punjab are still in the hunt of a semi-final spot despite the loss, they are currently placed at third position with eight points from nine matches.