Islamabad impress with the bat in the first round of Hanif Mohammad Cup

Faisalabad:  Hanif Mohammad Cup 2023-24 commenced today at four venues across Faisalabad, Rahim Yar Khan and Multan. Ten teams participating in the tournament have been put into two groups. In Group A, Hyderabad won against Karachi Whites by two wickets while Bahawalpur defeated DM Jamali by three wickets. In Group B, Islamabad inflicted a heavy defeat of 146 runs over Larkana and Quetta lost to AJK by eight wickets.

Group A

Hyderabad v Karachi Blues at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad:

Karachi Blues chose to bat first against Hyderabad at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad. Jahanzaib Sultan (78, 96b, 7x4s, 1x6) was the most prolific batter for Karachi Blues as they were bundled out for 198 in 38.5 overs. Saqib (31, 37b, 1x4, 3x6s) and Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (29, 23b, 4x4s, 1x6) were the other contributors with the bat.

Daniyal Hussain Rajput got four wickets. Majid Asghar picked up three wickets while Asim Ali returned with two.

Hyderabad got over the line by two wickets and five balls to spare. Mohammad Suleman top-scored with 60 off 77 including seven boundaries. Daniyal contributed 48 runs with the bat, which came off 70 balls and displayed three boundaries. Ashiq Ali and Afnan Khan took two wickets each for Karachi Blues.

Bahawalpur v DM Jamali at Bohranwali Ground, Faisalabad:

Bahawalpur chased 154 in 42.3 overs against DM Jamali at Bohranwali Ground, Faisalabad. Muhammad Waseem Bhatti produced an unbeaten knock of 62 from 128 deliveries, including seven boundaries. Chasing the target on a tricky surface, Waseem’s knock proved to be the difference between the two sides as Bahawalpur surmounted the target with three wickets remaining.

Earlier, DM Jamali were bowled out for 153 in 42.5 overs after they decided to bat first. Mohammad Shahid (30, 45b, 3x4s) was the highest scorer for the side. Taimur Ali (29, 53b, 1x4, 1x6) and Shehbaz Ali (27, 44b, 1x4) also chipped in. Bahawalpur’s Mohammad Asif Ali grabbed a four-wicket-haul while Faizan Zafar got two wickets.

Group B

AJK v Quetta at Sheikh Khalifa Sports Complex, Rahim Yar Khan:

AJK’s Awais Akram struck an unbeaten century to lead his side to an eight-wicket win over Quetta at the Sheikh Khalifa Sports Complex, Rahim Yar Khan.

Awais scored 115 from 92 balls and hit 13 boundaries and six maximums, ensuring AJK faced no hiccups in their pursuit of the 162-run target. The two wickets lost by AJK were run-outs.

Earlier, Quetta were bundled out for just 161 in 34.4 overs. Naveed Malik and Aqib Liaqat had three wickets each while Faizan Saleem accounted for two wickets as well. Shahbaz Khan scored 44 from 77 including two boundaries and Mohammad Ibrahim hit 30 from 36, including four boundaries, however, it proved to be insufficient as AJK chased the target in 25 overs.

Larkana v Islamabad at Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan:

At Multan Cricket Stadium, Larkana’s decision to field first against the Hanif Mohammad Trophy’s 2023-24 winners Islamabad backfired as the side posted a massive total of 342 for five on the board. Sarmad Bhatti (85, 69b, 7x4s, 2x6s) starred with the bat, allowing the side to remain dominant over the Larkana bowlers. He was supported by Rohail Nazir (53, 72b, 4x4s) and Azan Tariq (48 not out, 19b, 3x4s, 4x6s).

Aamir Ali Taheem was the most successful bowler for Larkana as he picked up three wickets in the innings that was otherwise defined by Islamabad’s batting prowess.

In turn, Larkana could only manage 196 in 45 overs, losing seven wickets in the process. Ishfaq Ahmed scored 42 from 87 and hit three boundaries and a maximum. Imtiaz Leghari (34, 30b, 4x4s, 1x6) and Umer Khalid (33, 52b, 3x4s) were the other contributors with the bat. Farmanullah Khan grabbed two wickets as Islamabad defeated Larkana by 146 runs.

Scores in brief:

Group A

Hyderabad win against Karachi Blues by two wickets

Karachi Blues 198 all out, 38.5 overs (Jahanzaib Sultan 78, Saqib 31, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay 29; Daniyal Hussain Rajput 4-21, Majid Asghar 3-40, Asim Ali 2-44)

Hyderabad 199-8, 44.1 overs (Mohammad Suleman 60, Daniyal Hussain Rajput 48; Ashiq Ali 2-24, Afnan Khan 2-45)

Bahawalpur beat DM Jamali by three wickets

DM Jamali 153 all out, 42.5 overs (Mohammad Shahid 30, Taimur Ali 29, Shehbaz Ali 27; Mohammad Asif Ali 4-30, Faizan Zafar 2-30)

Bahawalpur 154-7, 42.3 overs (Mohammad Waseem Bhatti 62 not out; Nasir Khan 3-19)

Group B

AJK beat Quetta by eight wickets

Quetta 161 all out 34.4 overs (Shahbaz Khan 44, Mohammad Ibrahim 30; Naveed Malik 3-22, Aqib Liaqat 3-42, Faizan Saleem 2-16)

AJK 162-2, 25 overs (Awais Akram 115 not out, Nadeem Khalil 19)

Islamabad win against Larkana by 146 runs.

Islamabad 342-5, 45 overs (Sarmad Bhatti 85, Rohail Nazir 53; Azan Tariq 48 not out; Aamir Ali Taheem 3-36)

Larkana 196-7, 45 overs (Ishfaque Ahmed 42, Imtiaz Leghari 34, Umer Khalid 33; Farmanullah Khan 2-30)