KPK (153/3) beat Southern Punjab (152 all out) by 7 wickets in 5th Match T20 Cup

[MenInG]

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Shaheen Shah Afridi (vice-captain),
Adil Amin, Arshad Iqbal, Asif Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imran Khan Snr, Israrullah, Maaz Khan, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Imran Khan, Mohammad Wasim, Mussadiq Ahmed and Sahibzada Farhan

Southern Punjab – Sohaib Maqsood (captain), Zeeshan Ashraf (vice-captain), Amir Yamin, Azam Khan (wicketkeeper), Dilbar Hussain, Faisal Akram, Hassan Khan, Imran Randhawa, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ilyas, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Umer Khan, Zain Abbas and Zia-ul-Haq

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[MenInG]

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has won the toss and elected to field against Southern Punjab

 

[Omer2002]

Salman agha should have replaced hassan khan

 

[siccric]

The production quality of the NT20 Cup is fantastic! Such an improvement from all previous domestic tournaments, including the PSL

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

They should have a mid-tournament player swap option available to the teams. Some good players are sitting at the bench while some total hacks are playing in the eleven.

KP also looks like a team that does homework and knows about the opposition players. That's a really good sign.

 

[imshally81]

Azam khan gone again cheaply....

 

[reversehook]

and there goes the whole worlds talent, after playing many a miscued shots and successfully taking a spot from a deserving cricketer...

 

[reversehook]

khushdil played an equally lame game, guy played dot after dot with no eagerness to score, a couple of miscued shots, and a lame shot to get out, kuptaan went for a golden duck... man this middle order of the wc squad is so green....

 

[shah_1]

Azam is so pathetic

 

[Titan24]

Azam Khan needs to improve his batting against 140kph pace bowling especially shorter balls as at international level you should be able to play on back foot well to give yourself more range of strokes.

Yes in UAE teams are gonna bowl around 8 or more overs of spinners in the middle most likely but, he needs to have a second plan against pacers if he doesnt get spinners to play.

 

[shah_1]

Our team might lose to Afghanistan with this middle order

 

[Titan24]

As benchmarks its easier to judge bowlers based upon how they do against Babar and Rizwan while for batsmen its how they do against Shaheen and Hassan as of now.

 

[Titan24]

Imran Khan SR has been one of the best T20 bowlers in Pak in last year, year and a half including PSL.

 

[Third Man]

My goodness what a terrible middle order Pakistan has selected. I wouldn't select Khushdil Shah and Azam Khan for a club team, let alone Pakistan. Might select them for tape ball tournament. We'd be lucky to win one game at the world cup.

 

[Titan24]

Salman agha should have replaced hassan khan

Hassan is a decent middle/lower order hitter and has really improved his hitting and stroke play in last year or so while Agha is more like top 5 batsmen in who needs some balls to start going. Also I think every team needs atleast one guy who can start smacking from the word go at the end and SP doesnt have any outside of Hassan and maybe Imran Randhawa.

However, yes SP need someone who can anchor the innings by the looks of it. Imran Randhawa did a reasonable job today. I think Zain Abbas has the technique to do the job but, he hasnt been able to go long in these two matches. If nothing clicks then Agha Salman can surely come in on that no 4.

Agha should have gotten more opportunities after a top domestic season last year.

 

[reversehook]

sometimes you wonder if these players have any dignity, if i were any of them and got selected like that, i would withdraw myself saying, mr selecter i am not sure what the hell you saw, but i am out of form, or in case of azam, i am out of everything imaginable...

 

[waheed_sofi]

What is this name of the rap song that is being played in between the overs?

 

[shah_1]

Fakhar should open with Rizwan and Babar at 3.

No way Shoaib Maqsood, Khusdil Shah, Azam/Asif can be our 3 middle order batsmen. Fakhar is a lot better than these jokers

 

[reversehook]

Fakhar should open with Rizwan and Babar at 3.

No way Shoaib Maqsood, Khusdil Shah, Azam/Asif can be our 3 middle order batsmen. Fakhar is a lot better than these jokers

fakhar is garbage in front of these guys.... if you dont believe me ask mhd waseem

 

[shah_1]

What a ball from Naseem

This would have got most left handed batters out . Swinging yorker

 

[PakEngFan]

Naseem has been impressive.

 

[Titan24]

Really impressive whiteball development showes by Naseem showed in last few months. Good pace, good changeups and now a even swing with the new ball.

 

[Third Man]

Why is Pakistan taking Hasnain with them everywhere? Naseem, Dhani, Akif, and even Arshad are better bowlers than him. Some decisions are just incomprehensible.

 

[Third Man]

Really impressive whiteball development showes by Naseem showed in last few months. Good pace, good changeups and now a even swing with the new ball.

Swing is not that surprising. He used to swing it even during his U19 days. It was just a matter of time before he got it back. Only thing that remains now is better control on the new ball, even thought he's better than many on that front.

 

[Titan24]

Why is Pakistan taking Hasnain with them everywhere? Naseem, Dhani, Akif, and even Arshad are better bowlers than him. Some decisions are just incomprehensible.

Akif’s growth got hampered a bit because of injury otherwise based upon his skills he has shown till now he could even have been close to national call up till now. Dahani is a recent find and Naseem has shown development in white ball cricket recently.

Hasnain on the other hand was picked 2 years ago however his development till now in Pak setup is questionable. He neither plays whiteball cricket for Pak regularly nor he is developed much into red ball bowler.

Hasnain definitely has some big competition now with others developing and Hasnain not being able to make a permanent spot for him atleast in the Pak playing XI.

 

[Titan24]

Swing is not that surprising. He used to swing it even during his U19 days. It was just a matter of time before he got it back. Only thing that remains now is better control on the new ball, even thought he's better than many on that front.

Agreed. He was even moving/seaming the older ball both ways in his debut FC season after which he got selected. However, lost his rhythm and form with the national team. Looks likes a decent learner if he is provided right mentors

His action is also matured a bit after slight alterations to make it more side arm to prevent injuries. As its never easy to straight away get used to the slight changes.

 

[shah_1]

Agreed. He was even moving/seaming the older ball both ways in his debut FC season after which he got selected. However, lost his rhythm and form with the national team. Looks likes a decent learner if he is provided right mentors

His action is also matured a bit after slight alterations to make it more side arm to prevent injuries. As its never easy to straight away get used to the slight changes.

He is also bowling closer to the stumps

 

[Shafi]

Waqar damages Nasim badly. Now Waqar gone Nasim can flourish so as Hasnain with proper bowling coach.

 

[Titan24]

He is also bowling closer to the stumps

Yes, good observation.

 

[Shafi]

We have enough fast bowlers but lack of even 1 decent batsman

 

[Titan24]

Waqar damages Nasim badly. Now Waqar gone Nasim can flourish so as Hasnain with proper bowling coach.

Waqar if I am not wrong has been notorious for overtraining fast bowlers. Some bowlers adapt well but, not everyone can. Naseem Shah and Faheem Ashraf both suffered under Waqar in that regard I think.

 

[Titan24]

Thats some real good striking from Farhan.

Other than the first six which was in the arc I dont think Faisal did much wrong. A little critique could be that faisal needs to vary the pace a bit as well in the format

 

[OMB]

 

[Third Man]

Thats some real good striking from Farhan.

Other than the first six which was in the arc I dont think Faisal did much wrong. A little critique could be that faisal needs to vary the pace a bit as well in the format

Yeah, you know you're screwed when even Farhan looks better than the middle order batsmen selected for the world cup.

 

[Titan24]

Beautifully bowled over by Faisal. Beating guy like Rizwan as a spinner is a tough task

 

[Shafi]

This Azam Khan is useless. Missing plenty of stampings and catches

 

[Titan24]

Thats ruthless stuff from KPK especially Rizwan who is doing it match after match now a days.

 

[Third Man]

KP is way ahead of the rest of the teams. And that's after donating a few players to the other teams.

 

[Titan24]

KP is way ahead of the rest of the teams. And that's after donating a few players to the other teams.

KPK and CP are pretty heavy sides. Northern is a pretty good side as well like always the way they play their own style of cricket.

 

[Titan24]

Is it just me or Naseem has got an inch or so taller?

 

[PakEngFan]

Farhan is a very poor batsmen. Always late against fast bowler and very limited in his range of shots.

 

[Titan24]

SP has a decent side but, I guess they are possibly missing an experienced leader. I dont think Sohaib has captained much at any level before, he will probably learn a bit as the tournament progresses but I guess SP are lacking a leader as of now.

 

[Titan24]

Like the attitude and temperament of Faisal. Doesnt take much pressure and keeps his calm in most situations which is key especially for a spinner

 

[Titan24]

Iftikhar not reading Faisal

 

[Third Man]

Faisal is quite impressive for a young fellow. With a bit of experience and polishing, he could be a handful.

 

[PakEngFan]

Iftikhar not reading Faisal

He’s he impressive still very young. Thankfully no one questioning his age as of yet.

 

[Bewal Express]

I like the look of Faisal, he has many hurdles in front of him but he wont disappear quickly like i had feared.

 

[Titan24]

Azam Khan needs to improve his balance as a keeper. Needs to do keeping drills alongside his batting

 

[Extra_Cover]

So far in the tournament I'm impressed with bowlers; the likes of Faisal Akram is a real find whilst Naseem, Haris, Akif have shown improved pace and have bowled really well so far. I hope these players build on this momentum and stake a claim for T20 WC.

The least impressive part is understandably the fielding. The likes of Sohaib Maqsood, Tanvir, etc have been nothing but hideous. The ground fielding is shambolic whilst catching has been really bad. Having said that we also have seen some brilliant catches so far from Babar and Wahab. Its just the consistency that I would like to see.

 

[Titan24]

So far in the tournament I'm impressed with bowlers; the likes of Faisal Akram is a real find whilst Naseem, Haris, Akif have shown improved pace and have bowled really well so far. I hope these players build on this momentum and stake a claim for T20 WC.

The least impressive part is understandably the fielding. The likes of Sohaib Maqsood, Tanvir, etc have been nothing but hideous. The ground fielding is shambolic whilst catching has been really bad. Having said that we also have seen some brilliant catches so far from Babar and Wahab. Its just the consistency that I would like to see.

Fair analysis.

Regarding fielding I thinking the younger ones are generally bit better fielders but, still some guys especially young bowlers need to improve that aspect.

Personally I think one of the biggest issue is that some quality young batsmen are on the benches or which I would really like to play. Either draft them to weaker sides or add another side. Because, by having guys like Abdullah, Qasim, Haris, Saud etc in the bench means not enough opportunities for them to develop. These names can themselves make a reasonably competitive batting lineup.

 

[Titan24]

Sohaib Maqsood being brutally honest as captain saying that on paper you might think match went close as it finished in 20th over but, we were completely outplayed and it wasnt even close.

 

[MenInG]

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa demonstrated they were the team to beat in the National T20 when they produced a clinical performance to defeat ATF Southern Punjab by seven wickets in the fifth match of the tournament at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday.



In daylight, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa fast bowlers shared nine wickets between them to dismiss Southern Punjab for 152 in 19.4 overs. Under lights, Mohammad Rizwan and Sahibzada Farhan stitched a 136-run second wicket partnership as the defending champions cantered to victory with two balls to spare.



The results gave Khyber Pakhtunkhwa their second victory in as many matches, while it left Southern Punjab winless after two matches. The two sides will meet in a return match at the Gaddafi Stadium on 10 October.



Farhan had joined Rizwan after Naseem Shah trapped Fakhar Zaman in front of the stumps at the score of four. Both batters departed on successive balls, but by that time only 13 runs were required off 17 balls, including six off the last over, which Adil Amin and Iftikhar Ahmed achieved without being separated.



Farhan scored a 49-ball 73 with six fours and four sixes, while Rizwan struck six fours and a six in a 47-ball 64.



Earlier, Imran Khan Snr, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Wasim combined to bowl out Southern Punjab for 152. Only a fighting and impressive 54 by Imran Randhawa and a rapid 14-ball 25 by Hassan Khan saved Southern Punjab’s blushes.



Imran returned figures of 3.4-0-28-4, while Shaheen had figures of 4-0-34-3. Wasim picked up two wickets for 32 runs and Asif Afridi claimed the other wicket.



Imran Randhawa’s maiden half-century off 46 balls included seven fours and a six, while Hassan hit four fours.



Scores in Brief:



Match 5 – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa beat ATF Southern Punjab by seven wickets



ATF Southern Punjab 152 all out, 19.4 overs (Imran Randhawa 54, Hassan Khan 25, Khushdil Shah 24; Imran Khan Snr 4-28, Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-34, Mohammad Wasim 2-32)



Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 153-3, 19.4 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 73, Mohammad Rizwan 64; Naseem Shah 2-27)



Player of the match – Imran Khan Snr (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)