KARACHI: While the second leg of the star-studded First XI National T20 Cup begins in Rawalpindi, Central Punjab clinched the Second XI title after finishing at the top of the league standings in Lahore on Thursday.

Central Punjab only needed to secure a victory in the final fixture of the second-tier competition at the Gaddafi Stadium — a task they accomplished in an emphatic fashion by condemning Northern to a fifth successive defeat as they won by seven wickets.

Northern struggled from the onset after skipper Nauman Ali decided to bat, losing half the side for just 37 runs. All-rounders Sarmad Bhatti and Aamir Jamal both crossed 30 to help them reach 133-8. Sarmad scored 33 from 28 deliveries while Aamir remained unbeaten with 38 off 38 balls with the help of four sixes.

Discarded international Waqas Maqsood was the pick of Central Punjab bowling as the left-arm paceman grabbed three wickets for 23 runs. His new-ball partner claimed 2-30 and Kamran Afzal 2-14.

Central Punjab overhauled the modest total of Northern with 11 balls to spare. Skipper Nauman Anwar — yet another former international — blasted four boundaries and a six in a 13-ball cameo of 26 but the star performer with the willow was wicket-keeper/batsman Junaid Ali who ended up contributing an undefeated 66 off 57, which included nine hits to the fence.

Meanwhile, the First XI action resumes at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in the garrison town on Friday afternoon with defending champions Northern in red-hot form. They cantered through to five straight wins during the first leg of the event in Multan. Enjoying a two-point cushion and a superior net run-rate, the holders are almost certain to qualify for the Oct 17 semi-finals as they prepare to face fifth-placed Central Punjab in the opening fixture of the Rawalpindi leg.

Friday’s night game will be between Sindh — who are currently languishing in fourth spot with just one victory under their belts — and the winless Southern Punjab. These two teams have played four games apiece, while the remaining four have played five.

Judging by the form of all sides in Multan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan are also in pole position to make the last-for stage of the tournament. They clash in Saturday’s afternoon encounter and a win for Balochistan would see them dislodge Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from the second place in the standings.

Meanwhile, there is added incentive for the teams who previously had been confined to play in the bio-secure bubble owing to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic during the first phase at the Multan Cricket Stadium. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday revealed that they have allowed the players and support staff to be joined by their families in the team hotel for the second leg.

As per PCB protocols for the pandemic, the families underwent Covid-19 tests in Rawal­pindi on Thursday before being granted permission to join their relatives among the teams at the hotel.

Scores in brief:

Second XI:

At Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore:

Central Punjab beat Northern by seven wickets.

Northern 133-8 in 20 overs (Aamir Jamal 38 not out, Sarmad Bhatti 33; Waqas Maqsood 3-23, Kamran Afzal 2-14, Mohammad Ali Khan 2-30); Central Punjab 134-3 in 18.1 overs (Junaid Ali 66 not out, Nauman Anwar 26; Athar Mahmood 2-36).

Friday’s fixtures:

First XI: Northern vs Central Punjab (3:00pm); Sindh vs Southern Punjab (7:30pm).

Final Second XI standings
(Tabulated under played, won, lost, points, net run-rate):

Central Punjab 5 4 1 8 +0.208

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 5 3 2 6 +0.913

Southern Punjab 5 3 2 6 +0.253

Sindh 5 3 2 6 -0.140

Balochistan 5 2 3 4 -0.447

Northern 5 0 5 0 -0.748

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2020