Khyber Pakhtunkhwa pulled out a nail-biting thriller against Punjab by two runs in the fourth match of Pakistan Cup 2016 at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad.
After winning the toss, KPK skipper Younis Khan opted to bat first, and his openers did not let him down once again, providing 88-run opening stand.
The middle order of KPK capitalizes on it, except Younis Khan who went back for his 2 runs, being unluckily run out.
Rameez Azeez (35) and Zohaib Khan (51*) helped KPK in final phase of the innings to take the team total to 262/6 in fifty overs.
Openers Ahmed Shehzad (57) and Fakhar Zamaan (67) were top scorers from KPK side.
Punjab in reply were spot on, their opening partnership last 42 runs when Saif badar left the crease with 17 run in his bag.
Salman Butt from the other end, along with Asad Shafiq 107 runs for the second wicket. bringing their team well track chasing 263.
After Asad Shafiq’s departure on 47, Shoaib Malik joined in where Shafiq left. Malik kept rotating strike unless Salman Butt was out on 72.
He began to take on KPK bowlers and brought the closer with Rizwan.
At one stage, Punjab required 21 runs of 21 balls with 7 wickets in hand when Malik departed on 41, and then Rizwan on 27 in next over, followed by Saad Naseem on 5, the game became interesting.
Zia ul Haq bowler a super penultimate over, giving away just two runs, Punjab required 9 of the last over with Aamir Yamin on strike.
Younis Khan with his excellent captaincy, put Punjab in immense pressure, but Akber Rehman was still on strike. He stole 6 runs off the first four balls, requiring 3 more out of last two.
Trying to play a lofted shot, he got caught on long on, the match dramatically turned into KPK’s favor once again.
Punjab required three off the last ball, Rahat bowled a perfect wide-yorker, beating Amad Butt’s edge and this how KPK won this game in a dramatical manner by 2 runs!
KPK’s Rahat Ali was picked Man of The Match for his states 42-4-1o.
