Tanvir’s blitz gives Rawalpindi win over FATA

KARACHI: International all-rounder Sohail Tanvir plundered 16 runs off the last over from speedster Ahmed Jamal to enable hosts Rawalpindi to pull off their first win as they defeated FATA by six wickets on the sixth day of the National T20 Cup at the Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi on Thursday.

Chasing 161, Rawalpindi needed 16 off the last over from Jamal. Tanvir took two off the first ball, hit the second for a six, played a dot ball, struck a six and then a four to give Rawalpindi a sensational victory with one ball to spare.

Tanvir faced only ten balls for his glorious unbeaten 21. He was amply backed by international all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz, who remained not out on 16-ball 21, which featured one six and one four.

Earlier, skipper Umar Amin (66) and Nasir Nawaz (42) provided a 57 runs opening stand off 45 balls to pave way for the successful chase.

Amin struck five sixes and one four in his 49-ball knock. Nasir, who belongs to South Waziristan, smacked four fours and three sixes in his superb 29-ball feat.

International all-rounder Hammad Azam, who leads FATA, was the pick of the bowlers with 2-23 from four overs. While Jamal (1-53) remained expensive, Usama Mir (1-13) was economical.

After being invited to bat first in the day-night game, international Mukhtar Ahmed (42) and Khushdil Shah (32) guided FATA to a fighting total of 160-8 in the allotted 20 overs.

Mukhtar smashed three fours from 32 balls. Shah hammered four sixes and three fours in his 32-ball excellent fifty.

Sohail Akhtar (20*) did a fine job, hitting two fours and a six from only 13 balls.Spinner Mohammad Asghar picked 2-41 from four overs. Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Irfan Junior, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz grabbed one wicket each.

Umar Amin was adjudged man of the match. Earlier, in the first game, Israrullah (56) enabled Peshawar to notch their first win when they recorded a three-wicket victory over Islamabad.

Israr smashed four fours and three sixes as Peshawar achieved the 129-run target with two balls to spare after losing seven wickets.

Peshawar required nine to win from the last over, bowled by paceman Shehzad Azam. Kashif Bhatti (2*) took one off the first ball. Sohail Khan (11*) hit a six, took one and then a leg-bye gave two crucial points to Peshawar.

Fakhar Zaman (27) and skipper Mohammad Rizwan (14) also made valuable contributions with the bat.

International left-arm pacer Mohammad Irfan got 2-9 in four overs.

Earlier, Islamabad were folded for only 128 in 19.2 overs on a pitch which was not easy for batting.

Hasan Ali scored 20-ball 35 with two fours. Sarmad Bhatti chipped in with 21-ball 28, which featured two sixes and one four.

Opener Nauman Anwar (14) was the other distinguished contributor. Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik (6) was out hit wicket while trying to smack Kashif Bhatti for a boundary.

Sohail Khan (2-23), Imran Khan Senior (2-28), Waqas Masood (2-28) and spinner Kashif Bhatti (2-28) bowled intelligently.

The game was started belatedly because of wet outfield following a couple of days of rain which washed out matches on Tuesday and Wednesday.

On Friday (today), Lahore Whites face FATA and Karachi Whites take on Rawalpindi.