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Balochistan down Sindh after fascinating clash in National T20 Cup

Sindh could not get a good start after their explosive opener Sharjeel Khan was removed early

Balochistan down Sindh after fascinating clash in National T20 Cup Photo Courtesy: PCB

Balochistan won a thrilling encounter against Sindh by two runs in the third match of the ongoing National T20 Cup in Multan on Thursday.

Sindh could not get a good start as their explosive opener Sharjeel Khan was removed early by fast-bowler Umaid Asif, after scoring just 10 runs off eight balls.

Regular wickets and tight bowing from Balochistan bowlers ensured that Sindh batsmen could not wrest control of the match on a flat wicket.

Batsmen Khurram Manzoor, Saud Shakeel and Sarfaraz Ahmed, who is also the skipper of the Sindh outfit, all fell after failing to tick the scoreboard along at the required rate.

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Asad Shafiq made 32 runs off 25 balls while young Azam Khan made 19 runs off 12 balls to give Sindh a chance to chase down the score.

Anwar Ali and Sohail Khan combined for a special partnership at the end to bring the game to a thrilling conclusion. Balochistan bowlers, however, held their nerves to squeeze a victory in the final over.

Ammad Butt was the pick of the bowlers for Balochistan after bagging three wickets while giving away 39 runs.

Earlier, Balochistan set a target of 181 runs from their allotted 20 overs while losing eight wickets in the process.

Opener Awais Zia got the side to a blistering start after making 25 runs off just 9 deliveries. He was caught behind off the bowling of pacer Mohammad Husnain after wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed completed a simple catch.

Top-order batsman Bismillah Khan continued to wrest the momentum for his side after a knock of 58 runs off 42 balls as wickets fell at regular intervals on the opposite end.

Imamul Haq and Imran Butt could not help their side to a significant extent after scoring 10 and 18 respectively.

Captain Haris Sohail pushed on with a quick cameo of 25 runs off 14 balls. However, Sindh took back control with disciplined bowling towards the end to restrict Balochistan to 180.

Mohammad Husnain was the pick of the bowlers for Sindh after claiming two wickets while giving away 31 runs.

Bismillah Khan was adjudged the man-of-the-match after his inspired knock with the bat.