Balochistan won by eight-wicket over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to clinch Pakistan Cup

Balochistan, headed by Yasir Shah, won the Pakistan Cup, the final match of the domestic cricket season, after defeating defending champions Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by eight wickets at the Multan Cricket Stadium. This was Balochistan’s first title since the new domestic system was implemented in 2019.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had already won the U13, U16, U19, National T20 Cup, and Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and were eager to add a sixth championship to their collection, but were unable to do so thanks to Yasir Shah’s outstanding bowling and captaincy, as well as Abdul Wahid Bangalzai’s batting.

Balochistan, needing 172 to win, reached the goal in the 32nd over, losing two wickets.

Bangalzai, 19, stole the show in the final with an unbeaten 80 off 77 balls. The right-hander struck nine fours and two sixes in his innings to help his team to a comfortable victory.

Bangalzai and Haseebullah (45 off 58, six fours) scored 77 runs for the second wicket to provide their team a good foundation. In a 70-run unbeaten third wicket stand with Bangalzai, Asad Shafiq, who batted at number four, was undefeated on 21 off 33 balls (one four).

In addition to the PKR5 million winner’s reward, Balochistan took home the gleaming Pakistan Cup trophy. PKR2.5 million was awarded to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Yasir was chosen player-of-the-match for his match-winning performance.

Balochistan captain Yasir had already asked Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to bat first. Khurram Shahzad, a right-arm fast bowler, dismissed Ashfaq Ahmed for nothing in the first over.

As wickets fell at regular intervals at the other end, Kamran Ghulam held the innings together. The right-hander made 70 out of 91 pitches (seven fours, one six).

Leg-spinner Yasir got four wickets for 33 runs in 10 overs as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were dismissed for 171 runs in 46 overs. Khurram and Akif Javed each had two wickets.

Briefly, the following are the results:

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 171 all out, 46 overs (Kamran Ghulam 70; Yasir Shah 4-33, Akif Javed 2-35, Khurram Shahzad 2-36)

Balochistan 175-2, 31.2 overs (Abdul Wahid Bangalzai 80 not out, Haseebullah 45, Asad Shafiq 21 not out; Khalid Usman 2-47)

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