Half-century by opener Shahzaib Khan, followed by excellent bowling by Mohammad Wasim Junior and Shahnawaz Dahani, helped Saim Ayub-led Pakistan Whites beat Sahibzada Farhan-captained Pakistan Blues by a narrow six-run margin in the third match of the National Champions Cup in Multan on Thursday. This was Whites’ first win in two matches, while it was Blues’ first defeat in as many matches.

Shahzaib Khan followed up his 76 in the first match against Pakistan Greens with 71 off 85 balls with three fours and three sixes as Pakistan Whites were bowled out for 245 in 49.3 overs. Mohammad Wasim Junior then produced his best bowling performance in List-A cricket when he returned figures of 10-0-46-5 as Pakistan Blues slipped from 129 for one to 239 all-out in 49.4 overs.

Pakistan Blues’ Hasan Ali hit a few lusty blows right at the end of the innings, but he lacked support from the other end that denied him the chance of single-handedly pulling off an unlikely victory for Pakistan Blues.

Blues needed 20 off the last two overs and then 15 runs in the last six balls. Hasan Ali, who finished with a 28-ball 29 with five fours, struck successive boundaries to Shahnawaz Dahani but was caught at the wicket on the fourth ball as Dahani not only took a sweet revenge but also finished with figures of 9.4-0-43-4.

Maaz Sadaqat was Pakistan Blues’ top-scorer with 59 from 77 balls with six fours and a six, and added 99 runs for the second wicket with Mohammad Faiq, who scored 54 from 64 balls with five fours and a six. Irfan Khan Niazi was the other notable run-scorer with a 35-ball 37, including two fours and three sixes.

Wasim accounted for Maaz Sadaqat, Tayyab Tahir (3), Irfan Khan Niazi, Ahmed Daniyal (9) and Sufyan Moqim (0).

Wasim received good support from fellow fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani as the two fast bowlers triggered a batting collapse with controlled and aggressive bowling. Dahani picked up the scalps of Sahibzada Farhan (17), Rohail Nazir (9), Arafat Minhas (12) and Hasan Ali.

Earlier, and apart from Shahzaib Khan’s half-century, there were small but even contributions from the other batters. This will be something that will worry the team management and national selectors as except for Shahzaib, none of the established and experienced batters was able to play a long innings, which resulted in Pakistan Whites being unable to play their full 50 overs.

Saad Masood scored 35 off 45 balls, Usman Khan 29 off 42 balls, Haris Rauf 27 off 34 balls, Saim Ayub 22 off 22 balls, Mohammad Wasim 21 off 25 balls and Hasan Nawaz 20 off 29 balls as Pakistan Whites struck 16 fours and six sixes.

For Pakistan Blues, Mohammad Faiq was the pick of bowlers with figures of 6-0-36-3, while Maaz Sadaqat claimed two wickets for 12 runs. Arafat Minhas, Sufyan Moqim, Hasan Ali and Akif Javed picked up one wicket apiece, but only Arafat Minhas bowled his quota of 10 overs.

Scores in brief:

Match 3 – Pakistan Whites beat Pakistan Blues by six runs

Pakistan Whites 245 all-out, 49.3 overs (Shahzaib Khan 71, Saad Masood 35, Usman Khan 29, Haris Rauf 27, Saim Ayub 22, Mohammad Wasim 21, Hasan Nawaz 20; Mohammad Faiq 3-36, Maaz Sadaqat 2-12)

Pakistan Blues 239 all-out, 49.4 overs (Maaz Sadaqat 59, Mohammad Faiq 54, Irfan Khan Niazi 37, Hasan Ali 29; Mohammad Wasim Junior 5-46, Shahnawaz Dahani 4-43)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Mohammad Wasim Junior

FRIDAY’S FIXTURE: Pakistan Gold v Pakistan Greens