KARACHI, March 19: Peshawar Panthers finished their Gold League campaign in the National One-day Regional cricket championship on a high when they defeated Rawalpindi Rams by 17 runs on Sunday. However, the Panthers’ third victory was marred by tantrum of their skipper Arshad Khan who was reported for dissent by umpires and reportedly fined Rs10,000 by match referee Abdul Sami Khan for bringing the game into disrepute.

The Pakistan off-spinner misbehaved with senior umpire Riazuddin after the latter asked him to remove his spike boots while batting since he was likely to endanger the UBL Sports Complex pitch.

Instead of being remorse, Arshad was livid and unnecessarily passed derogatory comments at the umpire. Later, he didn’t bowl himself from the Pavilion End since Riazuddin stood at that end.

After bring asked to bat first, the Panthers collected 278 for seven in 50 overs. The highlights were the batting of Mahfooz Sabri, Taimur Khan and Mohammad Fayyaz.

Mahfooz, a 20-year-old right-hander, made 66 off 64 balls with four boundaries in only his second match. Opener Fayyaz hit five fours in scoring a 68-ball 53. Taimur hammered an unbeaten 55 off only 47 deliveries while striking five fours.

The Rams, in reply, lost five wickets for 79 runs before a late-order charge almost put them on the brink of victory.

Sajid Mahmood had a great match. After claiming five catches earlier in the day, the wicket-keeper struck a defiant 62 as the Rams were bowled out for 261. His 76-ball knock included five hits to the fence.

Medium-pacer Riaz Afridi grabbed four for 50 while his opening partner Waqar Ahmed took two for 44. Slow left-armer Aslam Qureshi also snared two wickets, including Sajid who was brilliantly held on the square-leg boundary by Waqar.

Scoreboard