LAHORE: Opener Atiq-ur-Rehman missed an eloquent century by six runs, but more importantly, his knock gave Faisalabad its maiden victory in the National T20 Cup at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium in Peshawar on Wednesday.

Atiq clobbered 15 fours and a six in a 51-ball 94 to help Faisalabad overhaul Bahawalpur’s 158 with six wickets and 13 balls to spare. This was Faisalabad’s first win in three matches, while it was Bahawalpur’s second successive defeat in Group A.

The other match between Peshawar and Karachi Whites was a washout after the home side had won the toss and elected to field. Both sides shared one point each. Karachi now has five points from three matches, while Peshawar has one point from two matches.

In the Faisalabad-Bahawalpur match, Bahawalpur won the toss and were all out for 158 in 19.5 overs. Mohammad Faizan Zafar was the top scorer with 36, while Daniyal Hussain Rajput scored 25 and Mohammad Sarwar Afridi 22.

For Faisalabad, fast bowler Zaman Khan was the pick of the bowlers with three for 30, while Momin Qamar and Afaq Afridi took two wickets apiece.

In turn, Faisalabad reached the victory target in 17.5 overs for the loss of four wickets. After Faisalabad had slipped to 38 for two, Atiq and Mohammad Awais Zafar, who scored almost a run-a-ball 25, put on 93 runs for the third wicket to put their side back on a victory course.

For Bahawalpur, Mohammad Basit kept his team interested when he returned figures of 4-0-23-3. However, lack of penetration from the other end and responsible batting by Atiq and Awais thwarted Basit’s hopes.

Scores in brief:

Match 9 (Group A) – Faisalabad beat Bahawalpur by six wickets

BAHAWALPUR 158 all-out, 19.5 overs (Mohammad Faizan Zafar 36, Daniyal Hussain Rajput 25, Mohammad Sarwar Afridi 22; Zaman Khan 3-30, Momin Qamar 2-22, Afaq Afridi 2-40)

FAISALABAD 164-4, 17.5 overs (Atiq-ur-Rehman 94, Mohammad Awais Zafar 25; Mohammad Basit 3-23)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: ATIQUR REHMAN (Faisalabad)

Match 10 (Group A) – Peshawar v Karachi Whites, no-result (abandoned with a toss)

THURSDAY FIXTURES (GROUP B):

Sialkot v Lahore Blues (4.15pm)

Karachi Blues v Multan (9.15pm)