Karachi (Sports Reporter): Peshawar booked their place in the semi-finals of the ICRC National Physical Disability Cricket Championship after registering their second victory in the first phase, defeating KP Stars by seven wickets at Imran Khan Stadium, Peshawar.
The first phase of the championship concluded at the venue with the third day’s matches. Pakistan Physical Disability Cricket Association Secretary Amiruddin Ansari, Pakistan Sports Writers Federation President Amjad Aziz Malik, Ali Hoti, Director Sports Islamia College and University, Dr Waqar, Al Syed Marketing CEO Syed Sher Ali Afridi, Director Imran Khan Stadium Jafar Shah, Regional Heads Sajid Shah, Javed Ashraf and Muhammad Tahir Raja, Tournament Coordinator Nasrullah, Director PPDCA Muhammad Nizam and others were also present on the occasion.
In the opening match of the day, Lahore overcame Abbottabad by two wickets after an exciting contest. Abbottabad, batting first, were dismissed for 101 runs in 17.5 overs. Muhammad Asad was the leading scorer with 30 off 35 balls, hitting two fours, while Zabihullah made 18 off 14 deliveries with three boundaries. Humayun Khan contributed 15 runs.
For Lahore, M. Ashfaq and Shahid Nazir claimed three wickets each, while Abdullah Ijaz and Muhammad Bilal picked up two wickets apiece.
Chasing 102, Lahore reached the target for the loss of eight wickets in 16.5 overs. Muhammad Shahbaz top-scored with 16 runs, while Atiq-ur-Rehman and Sadar Ali added 13 runs each. Abbottabad conceded 19 extras, including 12 wides, which proved costly in the final outcome.
For Abbottabad, Raj Wali, Muhammad Asad and Bilal Arshad took two wickets each, while Aftab Hussain and Kaleemullah secured one wicket apiece. Pakistan Sports Writers Federation President Amjad Aziz Malik, who was the chief guest for the match, presented the Player of the Match award to Lahore’s Shahid Nazir.
In the second match, Peshawar produced a commanding performance against KP Stars. Batting first, KP Stars were bowled out for only 52 runs, with Awal Muhammad standing out with 22 runs. Momin Khan took three wickets, while Zaidullah dismissed two batters.
Peshawar then chased down the target in aggressive fashion, reaching 53 for three in just 3.4 overs to move to the top of the points table on run rate. Adeel Shahzad played a blistering unbeaten innings of 39 runs from 12 balls, striking six fours and two sixes.
Muhammad Abid took all three Peshawar wickets to fall. Former DCA Nowshera President Gohar Ali presented the Player of the Match award to Adeel Shahzad.
