KARACHI: Karachi Whites continue their winning streak in the National One-day Cup for Regions on Thursday by handing Lahore Blues a 70-run defeat at the KRL Stadium in Rawalpindi.

Karachi Whites’ third successive success in the tournament inspired Karachi Blues who sealed a five-wicket victory over Lahore Whites at the Marghazar Cricket Ground in Islamabad to complete a miserable day for the two Lahore outfits.

Rawalpindi whipped Peshawar by a clinical eight-wicket margin in the televised fixture at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, while in a sensational last-ball finish at the Diamond Club Ground in the federal capital, Islamabad edged past the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) in a high-scoring clash.

Karachi Whites consolidated their position at the top of the table thanks to telling contributions from Pakistan discard Anwar and fast bowler Tabish Khan.

Put into bat by Lahore Blues skipper Salman Butt in a delayed start owing wet conditions, reducing the game to 46 overs per side, Karachi Whites made good progress to make 240 all out in 45.2 overs.

Shahzaib Hasan struck five fours in making 49 from 46 balls at the top but despite the former international’s effort, Karachi Whites slumped to 94-5 in the 23rd over.

However, Anwar showed his all-round prowess by thrashing 67 from 68 deliveries with the aid of four boundaries and a brace of sixes. Wicket-keeper Mohammad Hasan also played a crucial part, he contributed a 51-ball 37 (three fours) while helping Anwar add 88 for the sixth wicket.

Veteran Tariq Haroon provided the ideal finish with 24-ball 33 that included three fours and one six.

Paceman Waqas Ahmed (4-49 in nine overs) and spinning all-rounder Agha Salman (3-11 in six overs) shared the bowling honours.

Tabish then rocked Lahore Blues’ chase by sending back Salman Butt (2), Tayyab Tahir (13) and Kamran Akmal (15). Agha Saman (30 off 47 balls, three fours) and Raza Ali Dar (49 not out off 63 balls, four boundaries) were the main run-getters before slow left-armer Danish Aziz mopped off the tail quickly.

Tabish ended up with figures of 3-34 in nine overs, Danish 3-28 in 6.3 overs and fellow left-arm spinner Azam Hussain 2-29 in 10 overs as Lahore Blues folded up for 170 in the 44th over.

Karachi Blues ensured Lahore Whites remain at the base of the standings with comfortable stroll. Khalid Latif asked the opponents to bat first in 46-over fixture and his decision was vindicated when Lahore Whites mustered only 180 all out in 33.5 overs with opener Imam-ul-Haq (38 off 39 balls, six boundaries) and Umar Siddique (34 off 42, six fours) being their major scorers.

Slow left-armer Mohammad Asghar bowled a brilliant seven-over spell of 3-16.

Khurram Manzoor, fresh from his century on Tuesday, struck an undefeated 77 off 70 balls with the aid of five fours and three sixes and Saud Shakeel hit 67 (85 balls, eight boundaries) as the duo put on 103 for the third wicket before Karachi Blues romped to victory at 183-5 in the 34th over.

Seamer Ahmed Bashir grabbed three wickets for 30 runs in eight overs, while off-spinner Adnan Rasool claimed 2-48 in eight.

Leg-spinner Shadab Khan starred with figures of 3-25 in nine overs as Peshawar, sent into bat by Rawalpindi captain Sohail Tanvir, folded up for 180 in 42.4 overs of the 45-over per side match.

Peshawar were tottering at 96-7 in the 28th over at one point. But defiant knocks from opener Israrullah (49 off 68 balls, seven fours) and all-rounder Khalid Usman (66 off 57, five fours and three sixes) lifted them to a respectable total.

Opener Naved Malik (83 off 90 balls, 11 fours and one six) and Sohaib Maqsood (65 off 59, five fours and three sixes) shared an unbroken stand of 116 before Rawalpindi celebrated their second win.

In the 43-over encounter, Fata posted 266-6 after being invited by Islamabad skipper Zohaib Ahmed to bat first. The highlight being the innings of 108 (114 balls, seven fours and five sixes) from budding all-rounder Khushdil Shah and an unbeaten 57 from Asif Ali.

Faizan Riaz (51 off 42 balls, four boundaries and two sixes), Sarmad Bhatti (49 off 65) and Zohaib (48 not out off 38, seven fours and one six) all made invaluable contributions as Islamabad got over the line on the final ball of the match.

Results on Thursday:

Third round:

At Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi: Rawalpindi beat Peshawar by eight wickets.

PESHAWAR 180 in 42.4 overs (Khalid Usman 66, Israrullah 49, Akbar Badshah 22; Shadab Khan 3-25, Sohail Tanvir 2-31, Mohammad Rameez 2-47; RAWALPINDI 183-2 in 30.5 overs (Naved Malik 83 not out, Sohaib Maqsood 65 not out).

At KRL Stadium, Rawalpindi: Karachi Whites beat Lahore Blues by 70 runs.

KARACHI WHITES 240 in 45.2 overs (Anwar Ali 67, Shahzaib Hasan 49, Mohammad Hasan 37, Tariq Haroon 33, Ahsan Ali 27; Waqas Ahmed 4-49, Agha Salman 3-11, Bilawal Iqbal 2-55); LAHORE BLUES 170 in 43.3 overs (Raza Ali Dar 49 not out, Agha Salman 30; Danish Aziz 3-28, Tabish Khan 3-34, Azam Hussain 2-29).

At Marghazar Cricket Ground, Islamabad: Karachi Blues beat Lahore Whites by five wickets.

LAHORE WHITES 180 in 33.5 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 38, Umar Siddique 34, Usman Salahuddin 26, Umaid Asif 24; Mohammad Asghar 3-16, Fawad Alam 2-40, Adeel Malik 2-50); KARACHI BLUES 183-5 in 33.4 overs (Khurram Manzoor 77 not out, Saud Shakeel 67; Ahmed Bashir 3-30, Adnan Rasool 2-48).

At Diamond Club Ground, Islamabad: Islamabad beat Fata by three wickets.

FATA 266-6 in 43 overs (Khushdil Shah 108, Asif Ali 57 not out, Fawad Alam 31, Mohammad Irfan 29; Rana Shahzad 3-55); ISLAMABAD 270-7 in 43 overs (Faizan Riaz 51, Sarmad Bhatti 49, Zohaib Ahmed 48, Abid Ali 39, Shahid Yousuf 31, Shan Masood 20; Asif Ali 3-54, Saad Altaf 2-51).

Published in Dawn, January 13th, 2017