KARACHI, Feb 13: A superb rearguard action by skipper Mahmood Hamid and Ahmed Zeeshan Malik inspired PIA to a four-wicket victory over Pakistan Customs in the Patron’s Cup Group ‘A’ match on Monday.

Mahmood and Ahmed combined to put on 68 runs in 46 balls that tilted the match in PIA’s favour with eight deliveries to spare at the UBL Sports Complex.

Mahmood, leading the otherwise depleted PIA side, hammered 56 off 39 balls and wicket-keeper Ahmed 29 off 21 balls to keep alive their team’s hopes of reaching the semifinals.

Ahmed ended the match with a six over mid-wicket off left-arm medium-pacer Stephen John. The crucial moment, however, came in the 44th over when opening bowler Imran Ali conceded 17 runs.

Opener Kamran Sajid (69 off 95 balls, four fours) and Bazid Khan (44 off 61, three fours) also played their part in a third-wicket stand of 93.

Earlier Fazle Akbar, the former Test paceman, produced a devastating burst of six for 30 as Customs, put into bat, were bowled out for 233 after the game was curtailed to 49 overs per side because of a wet surface.

The highlight of Customs’ innings was a run-a-ball 103 from Afsar Nawaz who stroked 10 fours and two sixes.

Fawad Alam, who helped Afsar add 73 for the fourth wicket with Afsar, shone in the field with three catches, including a stunning effort at short square-leg to send back Bazid.

The ultimate qualifiers will be known on Wednesday when Customs face group leaders Habib Bank and PIA take on SNGPL.

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