National T20 Cup: Abbottabad to play Karachi Whites in the final

A rain-affected game eliminated Lahore Whites from the National T20 Cup, as Abbottabad progressed to the final on the back of their superior Net Run Rate (NRR). 

Rain ends Whites’ hopes

Whites’ Muhammad Akhlaq and Imran Dogar played clinical knocks at the top, which helped the side post 194 runs on the board in the first innings. However, with the rain refusing to subside, the side was unable to defend it against Abbottabad.

Karachi get a five-wicket win

Earlier on the same day, Karachi Whites defeated Sialkot to become the first team to reach the final. Sialkot set up a 165-run target, as Karachi’s Mohammad Umer and Mohammad Asghar made run-scoring difficult with their brilliant bowling. 

The pair shared 5 wickets between them, as only two Sialkot batters managed to get past 30 runs in the first innings.

Abdullah Fazal and Saud Shakeel then joined forces to chase down the target. Fazal scored 88 off 44 deliveries, while captain Saud missed out on his fifty, having scored 45 off 21 deliveries. Karachi lost a couple of quick wickets after Saud was dismissed, but with Fazal still on the crease, the side avoided a collapse.

Karachi chased the target within 16 overs with five wickets to spare. Sialkot’s captain Usama Mir took three wickets and remained the sole bright spot for the side as they crashed out of the semi-final.

Karachi and Abbottabad will play the final on March 18 at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium.

ALSO READ:

Quetta announce captain and coaching staff for PSL 11- IPL