KARACHI: A lower order onslaught lead by Kashif Bhatti saw Balochistan beat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by 38 runs on Sunday to storm into the Pakistan Cup final.

Kashif helped the defending champions post an imposing 302-8 before a brilliant bowling show by Amad Butt helped them bundle Khyber Pakhunkhwa out for 264 runs with almost three overs to spare here at the State Bank Stadium.

Balochistan had slipped to 213-8 when last man Kashif belted five fours and four sixes in a 48-ball 69 not out and dominated the 89-run unbroken ninth-wicket stand with Yasir Shah (17 not out) to lift the side out of danger.

Kashif’s show was the second part of Balochistan’s fightback, after early wickets by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Iftikhar Ahmed had them struggling at 138-6 at one point.

It was Bismillah Khan who initiated Balochistan’s resurgence. The right-hander put on 70 runs for the seventh wicket with Amad to take the side to 208-6. Bismillah scored a 53-ball 65 with six fours and two sixes, while Amad contributed 27 from 21 balls with two fours and two sixes.

However, the departure of Bismillah and Amad in a space of five runs, shifted the pressure back on Balochistan before Kashif came to the party and not only helped his side post a commanding score but also entertained a decent holiday crowd with his lusty hitting.

Pakistan international Ifti­khar registered figures of 3-52.

In their run-chase, three Khyber Pakhtunkhwa batters reached half-centuries but none of them were able to convert these scores into match-winning performances as Balochistan’s Amad returned figures of 4-52 to steal the limelight.

Coming at number seven, Adil Amin top-scored with 76 off 67, followed by Mohammad Haris (63 off 54) and Sahibzada Farhan (57 off 55)

The highest partnership of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s innings was for the sixth wicket when Adil and Haris put on 72 runs for the sixth wicket after their side had slipped to 127-5.

Balochistan will take on Central Punjab in the final on Monday.

Summarised scores:

Balochistan beat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by 38 runs

BALOCHISTAN 302-8 in 50 overs (Kashif Bhatti 69 not out, Bismillah Khan 65, Imran Butt 29, Amad Butt 27; Iftikhar Ahmed 3-52); KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA 264 in 47.1 overs (Adil Amin 76, Mohammad Haris 63, Sahibzada Farhan 57; Amad Butt 4-52, Khurram Shahzad 2-38, Mohammad Junaid 2-64).

Published in Dawn, january 2th, 2023