An unbeaten hundred from Misbah-ul-Haq led Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited to a four-wicket win over Khan Research Laboratories. Chasing a target of 279, SNGPL were shaky at 88 for 3 before a 116-run stand between Misbah and Azhar Ali consolidated the innings. Misbah shook off the loss of two quick wickets to take his side home with seven balls to spare. His 11th List A hundred came off 82 balls and included 13 fours and four sixes.
Earlier, KRL posted a total of 279 for 8. The top order led the way and built a base for a big score. Openers Mohammad Yasin and Tayyab Riaz shared a 106-run stand and Shoaib Ahmed and Saeed Anwar jr also struck fifties. However, four quick wickets by fast bowler Asad Ali ensured that Khan Research were kept in check.
National Bank of Pakistan sealed a six-wicket win over Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited. NBP scored the required 284 runs in with more than 14 balls to spare. Their chase was guided by a half-century from opener Sami Aslam and unbeaten fifties from Umar Waheed and Hammad Azam. Azam scored a pacy 74 off 62 balls, which included six fours and five sixes. Waheed’s run-a-ball fifty had five fours.
Earlier, openers Sharjeel Khan and Hussain Talat gave ZTBL a strong start, sharing a 153-run partnership at the top of the order. After the openers were dismissed in quick succession, Shahid Yousuf guided the innings, scoring an unbeaten 52 off 45 balls. The 68-run partnership between Yousuf and Shakeel Ansar took Zarai to a score of 283 for 4 in their 50 overs.
Group B
Water and Power Development Authority beat Pakistan International Airlines by eight wickets at the Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad. PIA batted first and made 256 for 8, with half-centuries from Faisal Iqbal (73) and Sheharyar Ghani (51*). They were reduced to 169 for 6 at one stage but Ghani put together useful partnerships with the lower order t prop up his team. However, WAPDA chased down the target comfortably. Opener Rafatullah Mohmand made 91 off 87 balls and missed out on a century as he retired hurt. Sohaib Maqsood made 74 off 76 balls, hitting four sixes, and was backed by Aamer Sajjad who finished with an unbeaten 57. WAPDA won by eight wickets with 27 balls to spare.
State Bank of Pakistan beat United Bank Limited by 31 runs at the National Stadium in Karachi. Half-centuries from Kashif Siddiq, Gulraiz Sadaf and Rameez Raja (SBP’s top three) helped their side reach 298. SBP were sitting pretty at 211 for 2 but lost their last eight wickets for 87 runs. In the chase, there were several UBP batsmen who got starts but only one, Khaqan Arsal, managed to convert them into a half-century. Hasan Mahmood was the star for SBP with his left-arm spin, taking 6 for 45. UBL were bowled out for 267 in 44.3 overs.
