Pakistan Cup 2022 semi-finalists confirmed

The semi-final round of the Pakistan Cup 2022 are just around the corner. Balochistan and Central Punjab have made their way towards the semi-final round of the 50-over tournament after an extensive win over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Northern Punjab. 

The first semi-final will take place on 31st December between Central Punjab and Southern Punjab. Central Punjab topped the table with 14 points in 10 matches, whereas Southern Punjab came fourth in the points table.

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 The second semi-final will be played on 1st January between the defending champions Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The final will be played on 1st January at the State Bank arena, Karachi.

In yesterday’s match between Balochistan and KPK, Balochistan won the toss and chose to bowl first. The defending champions bowled KPK out for 133 runs in just 31 overs, with Fakhar Zaman scoring 32 runs off 37 balls and Adil Amin scoring 33-ball 28 runs. 

The bowlers of Balochistan performed very well, with Mohammad Junaid picking four wickets for just 37 from 8 overs and was named man of the match. Yasir Shah took three wickets and gave 26 runs in seven overs.

Balochistan easily chased down the target inside 19 overs with seven wickets remaining. The openers, Haseebullah and Imran Butt, created a 64-run partnership, with Haseebullah scoring 32-ball 53 runs. After his dismissal, Imran Butt remained not out after scoring 46-ball 63 runs.

In the match between Central Punjab and Sindh, the National T20 champions won the toss and elected to bowl first. Central Punjab scored 310 in 50 overs courtesy of half-centuries by Ahmed Shehzad and Tayyab Tahir. Sindh failed to chase this mammoth target and were knocked out of the tournament.

However, the whole batting lineup collapsed after both the openers were dismissed. Faraz Ali, who came in number four, played a good knock of 64 runs from 80 balls, but it was not enough for his team to qualify for the semi-finals. 

Skipper Anwar Ali scored 35-ball 30 runs alongside Sohail Khan, who scored 29-ball 43 runs, but they failed to take their team towards the next round and were knocked out of the tournament.