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Farhan, Rizwan steer Punjab to comfortable win over Balochistan

Duo’s 238-run partnership for second-wicket led Shoaib Malik's men to seven-wicket triumph

Farhan, Rizwan steer Punjab to comfortable win over Balochistan

Sahibzada Farhan and Muhammad Rizwan struck outstanding centuries as Punjab beat Balochistan by seven wickets in the opening match of the Pakistan Cup at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad on Wednesday.

Chasing a mammoth total of 366, Farhan struck an astonishing 155 off 145 balls with the help of 17 fours and two sixes, whereas Rizwan scored an unbeaten 124 off just 97 balls, including 13 fours and two sixes.

Opener Zain Abbas scored 47 runs off 43 balls while Malik came at the end to complete the target with quick-fire 21 runs off eight balls.

For Balochistan, pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi and off-spinner Muhammad Irfan took one wicket each for 61 and 79 runs respectively.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, Ahmad Shahzad’s Baluchistan posted a total of 365 runs for the loss of three wickets in their allotted 50 overs.

Opener Bismillah Khan scored 106 runs off 105 balls hitting 14 fours to build up a 177-run partnership with skipper Shehzad, who scored 95 runs off 86 balls with the help of three sixes and six fours.

Quetta Gladiators’ all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz also played a handy knock of 85 not out off just 55 balls, including eight fours and two maximums.

For Punjab, Kashif Bhatti was the only successful bowler as he claimed one wicket and gave away 59 runs in his 10 overs.