KARACHI: Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda), enthused by yet another Riffatullah Mohmand century, trounced National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) by a handsome margin of 119 runs to storm into the President’s Cup One-day cricket tournament final at the National Stadium here on Thursday.

Riffatullah, relatively fresh from three-figure knocks against United Bank Limited (UBL) and Habib Bank Limited (HBL) in the previous two matches, slammed 115 to lay foundation of an imposing total of 330-5 in the second semi-final before Pakistan fast bowler Junaid Khan claimed a four-for as Wapda dismissed the bankers for 211 in the 41st over.

On Friday, Wapda will be chasing just their second one-day title in their third final with the vastly experienced Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) led by Pakistan Test and ODI captain Misbah-ul-Haq, being their opponents. SNGPL, who outclassed HBL in Tuesday’s first semi-final, won the one-day cup twice — in 2007-8 and 2009-10.

Fawad Alam’s option of bowling first upon winning the toss proved disastrous as the in-form pair of Riffatullah and Hafiz Saad Nasim once again blossomed superbly to share their third 100-plus opening partnership in successive matches in the space of nine days at this ground.

With the pitch assisting the bowlers in the initial overs, both survived a few alarms including a sitter when Mohammad Imran Khan muffed a mistimed hook from Saad who went on to make 57 off 63 balls with six boundaries and one six before Fawad trapped him lbw after the prolific stand had yielded 135 runs in 139 deliveries.

But Riffatullah’s red-hot form in the tournament continued as the 36-year-old right-hander brought up his third century — and sixth overall — in 110 balls when he dabbed Raza Hasan, the one man constantly troubled him with cleverly disguised deliveries, to short third man in the 36th over. Changing gears upon reaching the coveted milestone, Riffatullah fell in the young bowler’s next over, with Mohammad Nawaz holding a neat catch at point, after having sent the ball to the fence 16 times. His 118-ball knock also included one six.

Sohaib Maqsood, the languid right-hander whose mannerism at the crease offers glimpse of another tall batsman who played with distinction for Pakistan — the great Inzamam-ul-Haq. Like Inzamam, Sohaib also hails from the ‘City of the Saints’ Multan. The ever-present national selector Saleem Jaffer was again impressed by what he has seen as Sohaib casually worked his way to 68 while helping Riffatullah add 93 off 86 balls for the second wicket.

The 25-year-old Sohaib, who probably still may have to wait for a taste of international cricket because according to a few analysts some aspects of his game need improvement, nevertheless showed his talent with seven fours and one six adorning his 59-ball innings.

The way their top three batsmen were going, Wapda sensed a much bigger total against a NBP bowling line-up that was severely depleted by the enforced absence of the in-and-out Pakistan seamer Wahab Riaz, the left-armer who was busy in hometown of Lahore in preparation for his marriage which was being solemnised on Thursday evening.

Raza still held his head high despite the hammering most of his bowling mates got. He finished with an admirable return of one for 44 from 10 overs.

NBP’s hopes of matching Wapda’s total receded within the opening eight overs when their two most experienced batsmen — Nasir Jamshed and Kamran Akmal — were dismissed in that period. Nasir edged a simple catch to Riffatullah behind the stumps off Junaid, while Kamran played the ball onto his stumps after stroking five boundaries in a 17-ball 26.

Sami Aslam and Umar Waheed, the Pakistan U-19 World Cup stars, fell after scoring 27 and 31, respectively. The former was held at short point after the ball had ricocheted off Riffatullah’s body while Umar was smartly caught at cover by Wapda skipper Rana Naved-ul-Hasan.

Although Fawad fought a lone battle with a 58-ball 60 (seven boundaries), the game was long over.

Junaid, four for 36 in 7.2 overs, came back to mop off the tail with three quick blows, including two off two balls to trigger scenes of elation on the field as his team-mates hugged each other before heading back to take short rest before Friday’s big match, while hoping to emulate their 2002-03 title-winning feat.

Scoreboard

WATER AND POWER DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY: Riffatullah Mohmand c Nawaz b Raza    115 Hafiz Saad Nasim lbw b Fawad    57 Sohaib Maqsood c Uzair b Nawaz    68 Aamir Sajjad c Fawad b Uzair    31 M. Ayub Dogar c Nasir b Hammad    37 Rana Naved-ul-Hasan not out    13 Tanzeel Altaf not out    2 EXTRAS (LB-1, W-6)    7 TOTAL (for five wkts, 50 overs)    330 FALL OF WKTS: 1-135, 2-228, 3-251, 4-293, 5-327. DID NOT BAT: Ali Azmat, Zulfiqar Babar, Junaid Khan, Nasir Malik. BOWLING: Mohammad Imran Khan 4-0-37-0 (1w); Hammad Azam 8-0-60-1 (1w); Zia-ul-Haq 4-0-38-0; Uzair-ul-Haq 9-0-63-1 (2w); Raza Hasan 10-0-44-1 (1w); Mohammad Nawaz 10-0-61-1; Fawad Alam 5-0-26-1.

NATIONAL BANK OF PAKISTAN: Nasir Jamshed c Riffatullah b Junaid    9 Sami Aslam c Tanzeel b Sohaib    27 Kamran Akmal b Nasir    26 Umar Waheed c Rana Naved b Saad    31 Fawad Alam c Nasir b Rana Naved    60 Hammad Azam c Aamir b Tanzeel    15 Mohammad Nawaz not out    17 Raza Hasan c Riffatullah b Nasir    9 Zia-ul-Haq b Junaid    1 Uzair-ul-Haq b Junaid    1 Mohammad Imran Khan b Junaid    0 EXTRAS (LB-5, W-10)    15 TOTAL (all out, 40.2 overs)    211 FALL OF WKTS: 1-14, 2-48, 3-75, 4-125, 5-156, 6-184, 7-202, 8-209, 9-211. BOWLING: Junaid Khan (5-0-29-1) 7.2-0-36-4; Rana Naved-ul-Hasan 6-0-44-1 (1w); Nasir Malik 6-0-18-2; Sohaib Maqsood 10-0-36-1 (1w); Zulfiqar Babar 5-0-25-0 (1w); Hafiz Saad Nasim 4-0-25-1; Tanzeel Altaf 1-0-13-1 (3w); Aamir Sajjad 1-0-9-0. RESULT: Wapda won by 119 runs. UMPIRES: Ahsan Raza and Kamal Merchant. TV UMPIRE: Shozab Raza. MATCH REFEREE: Aziz-ur-Rehman. OFFICIAL SCORER: Syed Imran Ali. MEDIA SCORER: Salman Hussain Kazmi. FINAL: SNGPL v Wapda, Friday.