Sarfaraz, Hassan help Sindh defeat Balochistan

Sindh registered back-to-back victories in the ongoing National T20 Cup by defeating Balochistan by four wickets at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Chasing the 174-run target, Sindh got off to a slow start with both their openers, Sharjeel Khan (17) and Khurram Manzoor (0), going back to the hut, inside the powerplay, with just 34 runs on the board.

Asad Shafiq then formed a crucial 51-run partnership with Azam Khan to keep the run chase on track. Shafiq departed after scoring 30 runs from 24 balls, with the score at 85/3 in the 11^th over.

Azam was threatening to take the game away from Balochistan but he was run out after scoring 27 runs from 14 balls.

With the match hanging in the balance, captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and Hassan Khan stitched a brilliant partnership of 51 runs to take their team to close to victory. Sarfaraz went back to the pavilion after scoring 44 runs from 28 balls, while Hassan remained unbeaten on 28 runs off 14 balls.

Sindh chased down the target on the first ball of the last over.

For Balochistan, Khurram Shahzad and Amad Butt claimed two wickets each.

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Earlier, after being asked to bat first, Balochistan posted 173/3 in their allotted 20 overs courtesy an unbeaten 92-run knock by opener Imamul Haq. The left-hander struck 11 fours in his 60-ball innings.

Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, who was promoted from the second XI, was the other prominent contributor in the innings with 32 runs from 27 balls. Bangalzai and Haq added 64 runs for the second wicket.

Meanwhile, Bismillah Khan played a cameo of 16 runs from six balls towards the end of the innings. Opener Awais Zia and captain Haris Sohail scored 17 and 13 runs, respectively.

For Sindh, Sohail Khan, Anwar Ali and Hassan Khan bagged one wicket each.