LAHORE: Faisalabad produced a clinical performance as they earned a crucial 15-run victory over Peshawar in a Group A match of the National T20 Cup at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium in Peshawar on Friday. This was Faisalabad’s second win in four matches, while it was Peshawar’s second loss in three.

In the other match of the day, Lahore Whites missed the opportunity to go top of Group A when they suffered a surprise four-wicket defeat against Bahawalpur. Lahore Whites remain on two wins from three matches, while Bahawalpur collected their first win in three. Karachi Whites continue to lead the table with five points from three matches.

In Group B, Multan and Abbottabad are on four points each from three and two matches, respectively, while Sialkot and Karachi Blues are on two points apiece. Lahore Blues are still searching for their first win. On Saturday, Sialkot will take on Abbottabad and Lahore Blues will meet Karachi Blues.

FAISALABAD V PESHAWAR

In the first match of Friday, Faisalabad, put into bat, posted 170 for nine with opener Atiq-ur-Rehman stealing the show with a 44-ball 72, including 10 fours. Muhammad Irfan Khan (32, 23b, 1 x 4, 2 x 6) and Mubasir Khan (27, 15b, 2 x 4, 2 x 6) were the other main run-scorers.

For Peshawar, Usman Tariq and Mohammad Nawaz picked up two wickets each, conceding 20 and 23 runs, respectively.

In turn, Peshawar were dismissed for 155 in 19.5 overs after a 71-run fourth-wicket partnership between Israrullah (47, 40b, 3 x 4, 2 x 6) and Nabi Gul (43, 39b, 3 x 4, 2 x 6).

For Faisalabad, new-ball bowlers Afaq Afridi and Shehzad Gul shared seven wickets between them while conceding a total of 59 runs in 7.5 overs. Afaq bagged four for 38 and Shehzad took three for 21.

During this match, Faisalabad’s Zaman Khan sustained a dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) in his right shoulder while fielding. He will consult the PCB’s medical team at the NCA to decide the next steps regarding his recovery and rehabilitation programme.

BAHAWALPUR V LAHORE WHITES

Haider Ali played a masterclass innings to guide Bahawalpur to a four-wicket victory with two balls to spare over Lahore Whites under lights.

Haider scored 65 not out from 43 balls with five fours and four sixes. He walked out to bat when Bahawalpur, chasing 197 for victory, were 70 for two. He added 45 runs for the third wicket with Saad Khan, who played an equally splendid innings of 65 from 30 balls with seven fours and four sixes.

After Saad departed at 115, Bahawalpur lost two more wickets and looked down and out at 149 for six. However, Haider put on 49 match-winning runs for the unfinished seventh-wicket partnership with Hasnain Majid (11 not out).

Earlier, Lahore Whites’ 196 for five revolved around impressive knocks from opener Mohammad Faiq, Tayyab Tahir, Farhan Yousaf, and Mohammad Mohsin.

Faiq struck five fours and three sixes in a 42-ball 63, while Tahir hit seven fours in a 34-ball 46. Farhan and Mohsin gave real impetus by adding 67 runs for the unfinished sixth wicket in no time. Farhan hit four fours and a six in an 18-ball 39 not out, while Mohsin slapped three fours and two sixes in a 16-ball 32 not out.

Scores in brief:

Match 13 (Group A) – Faisalabad beat Peshawar by 15 runs

FAISALABAD 170-9, 20 overs (Atiq-ur-Rehman 72, Muhammad Irfan Khan 32, Mubasir Khan 27; Usman Tariq 2-20, Mohammad Nawaz 2-23)

PESHAWAR 155 all-out, 19.5 overs (Israrullah 47, Nabi Gul 43, Afaq Afridi 4-38, Shehzad Gul 3-21)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Atiq-ur-Rehman (Faisalabad)

Match 14 (Group A) – Bahawalpur beat Lahore Whites by four wickets

LAHORE WHITES 196-5, 20 overs (Mohammad Faiq 63, Tayyab Tahir 46, Farhan Yousaf 39, Mohammad Mohsin 32 not out; Mohammad Sarwar Afridi 2-39)

BAHAWALPUR 198-6, 19.4 overs (Haider Ali 65 not out, Saad Khan 65, Mohammad Fizan Zafar 28; Mohammad Rameez Jnr 3-21)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Haider Ali (Bahawalpur)

SATURDAY’S FIXTURES (GROUP B):

Sialkot v Abbottabad (4.15pm)

Lahore Blues v Karachi Blues (9.15pm)