Northern thump lackluster Balochistan in National T20 Cup

Northern cruised to a comfortable seven-wicket victory against Balochistan in their National T20 Cup encounter at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan on Tuesday.

Chasing a target of 157, the Northern side lost opener Ali Imran early who was bowled by bowler Khurram Shehzad.

Batsman Rohail Nazir then joined opener Umar Amin for a lucrative 52-run partnership that provided Northern with a solid foundation.

Umar Amin was removed by leg-spinner Yasir Shah after scoring 30 runs off 25 deliveries.

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Shah then squeezed a mistake out of Nazir who was stumped by wicketkeeper Bismillah Khan after scoring 42 off 27 deliveries.

All-rounder Hammad Azam joined Asif Ali to power Northern over the line with 13 deliveries to spare.

Azam remained unbeaten after scoring 30 runs off 23 deliveries while Ali remained unbeaten after scoring 41 runs off 30 deliveries.

Yasir Shah took two wickets for Balochistan in four overs while giving away 32 runs.

Earlier, Balochistan won the toss and elected to bat first. The top three batsmen did not add much to the score before being removed by the Northern bowlers.

Awais Zia was removed after scoring 14 runs off eight deliveries, the flamboyant Bismillah Khan got out after scoring just 12 runs off seven deliveries while Imamul Haq departed for two runs off seven deliveries.

Captain Haris Sohail and batsman Akbarur Rehman than strung together the most crucial and lucrative partnership of the Balochistan innings that lasted for a 116 runs.

Sohail finally departed, courtesy of an unlucky run-out, after scoring 52 runs off 41 deliveries.

Rehman was the next to depart after being caught by fielder Mohammad Nawaz off the bowling of veteran pacer Sohail Tanvir. The batsman scored 38 runs off 32 deliveries.

Fast-bowler Mohammad Amir bowled all-rounder Amad Butt after the batsman scored 18 off 15 deliveries to restrict Balochistan for 156 runs for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 20 overs.