Shadab guides Northern to 35-run triumph over Central Punjab

LAHORE: Defending champion of National T20 Northern defeated Central Punjab by 35 runs in their National T20 Cup match at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan.

  In chase of a target of 156 runs set by the Northern, Central Punjab did not succeed as their fertile opener Kamran Akmal for one run off six balls, bowled by the pacer of Northern Haris Rauf changed the overall match scenario.

Whereas Central Punjab’s top batsmen Abid Ali and Abdullah Shafique scored 36 (33) and 20 (12) to provide a solid base for Central Punjab before fast-bowler Musa Khan dismissed both batsmen.

Northern all-rounder Shadab Khan dismissed Rizwan Hussain and Saad Nasim after both batsmen had scored 14 runs each. Due to consecutive fall of wickets, Central Punjab’s innings was wrapped up for 120 runs in 18.1 overs.

Musa Khan and Haris both the pacers of the Northern team took three wickets each, giving away 23 and 26, respectively.

In the morning session, Central Punjab won the toss and invited Northern to bat on. Northern team openers Zeeshan Malik and Ali Imran scored 20 (30) and 15 (19), respectively, and provide a solid foundation to their team.

While Haider Ali was removed by leg-spinner Usman Qadir for just three runs off six balls. Shadab Khan and Umar Amin scored 30 off 17 balls and 21 off 14 balls, respectively.

In the middle stage of the game, Northern batsman Asif Ali played a cameo inning of 24 runs off 11 balls before falling to bowler Ehsan Adil. In the ending session of Northern, wicketkeeper Rohail Nazir played a blazing knock of 21 off just 8 balls to push his side to 155 for the loss of eight wickets.

Shadab Khan was declared the player of the match for his brilliant performance leading to Northern to victory.