Match Details
Agha Salman | Southern Punjab Skipper: "It was a five-over game and it can be very unpredictable. We initially wanted a score above 50 but we were 10 short. In a short match like this, the mid-set is always aggressive and we tried to go from the word go. The bowl was gripping very well and it was tough to go straight down the ground"
That concludes the 11th group fixture of Pakistan National T20 2022 between the Southern Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In a game that was severely influenced by rain, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa came out victorious by 7 wickets and stays unbeaten in this tournament. This is their fourth victory on the trot and they completely trounced Southern Punjab today.
In the first innings, after winning the flip and electing to bat first, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa restricted Southern Punjab to just 41/4 in five overs. Zain Abbas and Sharoon Siraj started on an electrifying note for Southern Punjab as they secured 18 of the powerplay before Mohammad Imran got rid of Abbas 14 (8). Thereupon, the two run-outs of Siraj 11 (9) and Imran Randhawa 1 (3) completely changed the course of the game landing Khyber in a firm position. Mohammad Imran (1/13) and Imran Khan sr (1/12) both claimed a wicket each and stranded the Southern Punjab at 41. The Khyber bowlers bowled exceptionally in the first innings by mixing up the pace and decking the shorter length.
In pursuit of 42 in five overs, Sahibzada Farhan and Mohammad Haris gave Khyber a dominating start by orchestrating 13 of the first over. However, Southern Punjab shifted the momentum back by clinching three quick wickets. Mohammad Haris 5 (6) was the first one down as Sameen Gul beats him with short-of-length delivery, soon followed by the wicket of his opening companion Farhan 2(4). The Southern Punjab bowlers bowled their hearts out and constantly ticked the shorter length. Mohammad Ilyas attained the most scalps and finished his stint on 2/14. Similarly, Sameen Gul also attained a scalp and finished his figures on 1/15. Southern Punjab almost got this game home before the pyrotechnics of Aamer Azmat 14 (10) and Adil Amin 7 (4) handed Khyber a comprehensive victory. Stay Tuned for the post-match presentation!