Iftikhar, Waleed guide Punjab to victory

KARACHI: Test cricketer Iftikhar Ahmed hammered his second successive century and off-spinner Waleed Ahmed bowled superbly to enable Punjab to pull off their maiden victory from three matches as they conquered Federal Areas by seven wickets in an inconsequential day-night game of Pakistan Cup at the Pindi Stadium, Rawalpindi, on Monday.

Iftikhar slammed 109 not out to become the first batsman of the event to score two centuries, enabling Punjab to chase 322 with 20 balls to spare after losing three wickets. Earlier, Waleed, son of former Test spinner Tauseef Ahmed, took 4-59 in his quota of ten overs to help Punjab dismiss Federal Areas for 321 in 49.4 overs.

After being invited to bat on a batting track, Israrullah (96) and Test cricketer Ahmed Shehzad (74) provided a solid 158-run opening stand to Federal Areas. The 25-year-old Waleed gave the much-needed breakthrough to Punjab when he had Shehzad caught in the deep by Saad Ali. Shehzad hammered eight fours and two sixes in his 78-ball knock.

In his next over, Waleed got rid of left-handed young batsman Saud Shakeel (2). Saud went for a cut to a delivery that slightly lifted and went straight to Saad Ali who took an easy catch at point. Federal Areas were 166-2 in the 27th over.

Waleed then had skipper Mohammad Rizwan (13) and well-set Israrullah in quick succession to bring Punjab back in the game. Rizwan, who hit two centuries against Australia in the recently held One-day Series in the UAE, once again failed to play a major innings. He wanted to play a delivery from Waleed that pitched on the off-stump, came in and went through the gap between bat and pad before crashing the stumps. Rizwan hit one four in his a-run-a-ball knock.

Israr, who fell leg-before wicket, hammered 11 fours and one six in his 95-ball innings. Discarded international Sohaib Maqsood then used long handle, hammering 45-ball 55 with five sixes and two fours to take his side to a decent total. Sohaib got a chance when he was dropped by Iftikhar off the bowling of Mohammad Sami. He had scored only 16 by then.

Mohammad Nawaz made 28-ball 25, Asad Afridi struck 13-ball 19 and Bilal Asif hammered eight-ball 16 in the death overs as Federal Areas. Waleed was amply supported by discarded Test pacer Mohammad Sami with 3-69 in 9.4 overs. Sohail Tanvir got 2-73 in ten overs.

In response, Punjab lost their openers with 65 on the board. Iftikhar and Sami Aslam (81) consolidated the innings when they added 116 for the third wicket. Spinner Asad Afridi got rid of Sami after the left-handed Test cricketer had struck ten fours and two sixes in his 73-ball effort.

Iftikhar then shared 146 runs with Saad Ali (76*) for the fourth wicket unbeaten stand to take their team home. Iftikhar smashed six huge sixes and six fours in his excellent 89-ball match-winning feat.

Left-handed Saad, who made his one-day debut in the UAE against Australia recently, smacked 11 fours and one six in his 50-ball rapid knock.

Earlier, Khurram Manzoor (39) and skipper Kamran Akmal (15) lost their wickets in quest of scoring quick runs. Kamran smashed three fours from 21 deliveries. Khurram Shehzad, Mohammad Nawaz and Asad Afridi took one wicket each.

Iftikhar and Waleed shared the Man of the Match award. Mohammad Sajid and Khalid Mehmood supervised the match. Nadeem Arshad served as the match referee. With both Punjab and Federal Areas already out of the event, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Sindh are in contention for the two final spots. On Tuesday (today), Sindh will face Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in a vital game. The match starts at 2pm.