LAHORE: Khushdil Shah struck a six off the last ball to earn Abbottabad a dramatic eight-wicket victory over Multan in a Group B fixture of the National T20 Cup at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium in Peshawar on Sunday.

Chasing 204 for victory, Abbottabad needed 36 off the last two overs, then 19 runs off the last over, and finally seven runs off the final delivery. However, fast bowler Hasan Hafeez bowled a waist-high full toss to Kamran Ghulam, which was converted into a single. When Hasan re-bowled the final delivery with five runs needed, Khushdil Shah put the juicy full-toss over the long-leg boundary to earn Abbottabad a victory that looked unlikely when they were 139 for two after 15 overs, requiring another 65 runs for victory from 30 deliveries.

Khushdil Shah returned unbeaten on 30 from 17 balls with one four and two sixes, while Kamran Ghulam played the all-important innings as he carried his side all the way while scoring 95 not out off 48 balls with five fours and seven sixes. Kamran added 81 runs for the unfinished third-wicket partnership with Khushdil, after putting on 79 runs for the second wicket with Shahzaib Khan, who scored an impressive 42-ball 52 with three fours and two sixes.

Earlier, Multan’s 203 for six revolved around Moheer Saeed’s 76, Mohammad Shahzad’s 54 not out and Bismillah Khan’s 45. Moheer’s 41-ball knock included eight fours and four sixes, Shahzad struck four fours and four sixes in a 26-ball innings, and Bismillah hit six fours and a six in a 30-ball innings. For Abbottabad, wrist spinner Shadab Khan was the pick of the bowlers with three for 35.

In the other match of the day played under lights, Karachi Blues defeated Sialkot by 40 runs.

Put into bat, Karachi recovered from 106 for six to post 201 all-out in 19.2 overs. Usman Khan was the star performer, scoring 81 off 39 balls with nine fours and four sixes. Together with Jahandad Khan, Usman added 88 runs for the seventh wicket. Jahandad’s contribution in the stand was 30 off 16 balls with two fours and two sixes.

From the top-order, opener Ahsan Ali scored a 27-ball 50 with five fours and three sixes. He featured in three small but useful partnerships – 22 for the first wicket with Jahanzaib Sultan (12), 34 for the second wicket with Saad Baig (14) and 40 for the third wicket with Usman Khan.

For Sialkot, Abdul Subhan was the most successful bowler, returning figures of 4-0-41-4. Fast bowler Mohammad Ali took two wickets for 41 runs.

In turn, Sialkot were dismissed for 161 in 19.4 overs after slipping to 79 for six. Sialkot’s innings was given some respectability by Usama Mir, who scored a quickfire 63 from 32 balls including six fours and four sixes. Abdullah Shafique was the other notable batter with a 15-ball 28.

For Karachi, Khalil Ahmed was the standout bowler, returning figures of 4-0-28-4. Left-arm spinner Mohammad Taha also bowled well and claimed three wickets for 23 runs. Shahnawaz Dahani was also among the wickets, taking two for 37.

Scores in brief:

Match 3 (Group B) – Abbottabad beat Multan by eight wickets

MULTAN: 203-6, 20 overs (Moheer Saeed 76, Mohammad Shahzad 54 not out, Bismillah Khan 45; Shadab Khan 3-35)

ABBOTTABAD: 205-2, 20 overs (Kamran Ghulam 95 not out, Shahzaib Khan 52, Khushdil Shah 30 not out)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Kamran Ghulam (Abbottabad)

Match 4 (Group B) – Karachi Blues beat Sialkot by 40 runs

KARACHI BLUES: 201 all-out, 19.2 overs (Usman Khan 81, Ahsan Ali 50, Jahandad Khan 30; Abdul Subhan 4-41, Mohammad Ali 2-41)

SIALKOT: 161 all-out, 19.4 overs (Usama Mir 63, Abdullah Shafique 28; Khalil Ahmed 4-28, Mohammad Taha 3-23, Shahnawaz Dahani 2-37)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Usman Khan (Karachi Blues)

MONDAY’S FIXTURES (GROUP A):

Karachi Whites vs Bahawalpur (4.15pm)

Faisalabad vs Lahore Whites (9.15pm)