Iftikhar’s all-round display ensures semi-final berth for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Iftikhar Ahmed starred with an all-round performance as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa defeated Central Punjab by 69 runs at the UBL Sports Complex. The victory has ensured semi-final progress for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Central Punjab won the toss and opted to field first, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa posted 328 for nine in 50 overs. Fakhar Zaman top-scored with 92 off 95 balls with the help of eight fours and three sixes.

Fakhar added 145 runs for the third-wicket with Iftikhar Ahmed who scored 76 off 71 balls with the help of four fours and five sixes.

Adil Amin made a 51-run contribution off 43 balls (two fours, three sixes). Left-arm-spinner Zafar Gohar took three wickets while Qasim Akram took two wickets.

Iftikhar (player-of-the-match) followed his batting contribution with a four-wicket haul with his off-spin bowling that ensured a 69-run win for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as Central Punjab were bowled out for 259 in 44.3 overs. Iftikhar was well supported by left-arm-spinner Asif Afridi who took three wickets for 65 runs in his 10 overs.

Young all-rounder Qasim Akram who made his maiden List A century in the previous game made another important contribution for his side scoring 67 off 76 balls (five fours, two sixes). Qasim top-scored in an otherwise unimpressive Central Punjab batting effort.

Raza Ali Dar scored 50 off 74 balls (two fours) whole opener Rizwan Hussain scored a blazing 46 off 23 balls (seven fours, two sixes) but failed to make most of his promising start as his demise derailed Central Punjab’s chase.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who now have 10 points from nine matches are through to the semi-finals while Central Punjab who have eight points from nine games would need to win the last match to stay in the last-four hunt.