Rohail Nazir’s unbeaten fifty knocks Balochistan out of Pakistan Cup

Rohail Nazir’s unbeaten 69 helped Northern beat Balochistan at the NBP Sports Complex on Sunday, therefore ending Balochistan’s hopes of a semi-finals berth in Pakistan Cup.

Northern won the toss and opted to field first, Balochistan were reduced to 98 for four after pacers Waqas Ahmed and Athar Mehmood made early inroads. Balochistan were rescued by a 136-run fifth-wicket partnership between Akbar-ur-Rehman and Ayaz Tassawar. The right-handed Akbar scored 75 off 89 balls with the help of four fours.

Left-handed Ayaz took the attack to the bowlers in his unbeaten 82 off 68 balls (six fours, two sixes). Ayaz’s innings propelled Balochistan to their eventual 249 for six total. Waqas and Athar took two wickets each for Northern.

Northern were hardly troubled in their chase after openers Taimoor Sultan (24) and Haider Ali provided the team an 87-run start. Haider scored 53 off 54 balls with the help of eight fours. Northern received a minor jolt when they lost their third-wicket with 100 runs on the board.

At this stage the experience Umar Amin was joined by captain and player-of-the-match Rohail Nazir. Umar scored 47 off 59 balls while Rohail batted with composure and responsibility to take his team to the target with an unbeaten 69 off 84 balls (five fours, two sixes).

Hammad Azam provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 30 off 16 balls (two fours, one six). Northern completed the chase in the 47th over, left-arm-spinner Mohammad Junaid took two wickets.

The win has kept Northern alive in the tournament as they now have eight points after nine games and still have an outside chance of qualifying for the semi-finals. Balochistan who endured their sixth defeat today are now out of the semi-final race.