RIYADH — The last two league matches of the Youm Al-Watani Cup 16 (YWC-16) produced excellent cricket. The Group A game between KFSH Blues and Lahore Lions was a virtual quarterfinal. It was a must-win situation for both but KFSH Blues needed victory with better run rate. The other match between Pak Shaheen and Lahore Badshah was Group B title-clash. The pink cap for batsman tallying highest runs in the YWC-16 went to Abdul Waheed of Pak Shaheen. Pak Shaheen defeated Lahore Badshah and topped Group B. Badshah captain Yassir elected to bat. Openers Imran Mani (41 — 40 balls, 4x4, 6x2) and Mudassir (32) laid a good foundation. Pak Shaheen struck then with three quick wickets. Fahad (58 — 41, 4x5, 6x3), Usman (24) and Adnan (29) pushed the score slowly but steady bowling from Pak Shaheen bundled them out for 245 in 34.4 overs. The pick of the bowlers were Faisal (3-57) and Abdul Aziz (2-35). Pak Shaheen, in reply, lost Waheed in the very first over for 2 runs. Ibrarul Haq (58 — 42, 4x7, 6x3) stayed firm whereas wickets tumbled at the other end. By the time the total reached 95 half of the side was back in the pavilion. However Abdul Salam (76 — 59, 4x7, 6x1) steadied the innings in small company of Asad (21) and Ateeq (14). Pak Saheen achieved the target in 37.2 overs losing 7 wickets. For Lahore Badshah, which finished second in the group, captain Yasir took 3-53. Abdul Salam was adjudged the Player of the Match and Pak Shaheen remained the only unbeaten team in YWC-16. The match between KFSH Blues and Lahore Lions kept all teams in the group busy on calculators. KFSH captain Nasir Abbasi won the toss and opted to chase. Lions captain Muzzaffer was keen on a total of 350 plus. Lahore Lions lost opener Fahad early but Mansoor (63 — 52, 4x8), Awais (41), and Muzzaffer (42) batted well. After the drinks break, Imtiaz Ahmed bowled one of the best over of the match which pushed the Lahore Lions on to back foot. With the second ball Imtiaz bowled a well-settled Muzzaffer. Then wickets fell at regular intervals. Obaid (72 — 58, 4x5, 6x1) held on to one end and brought the score to 303 all out in 39.3 overs before being run out by Ayaz. The pick of the bowlers were Iftikhar Ali (3-45) and Mateen Abbasi (3-66). KFSH Blues, who needed to make 304 in 34 overs to qualify for semis, started their chase vigorously. Opener Ayaz and Nasir Abbasi (63 — 37, 4x6, and 6x5) gave the start they needed. Nasir was in full flow. Nadeem Babar (53 — 52, 4x4) gave a sustained support to Nasir and then to Amjad Ali (93 — 47, 4x17, 6x1). Amjad played to his potential, keeping the team well ahead of the strike rate. Muzzaffer (2-51) and Obeid (2-70) were successful in the beginning. Toward the end, 3 wickets fell in quick succession, resulting in a panic situation and making it a run-a-ball game. But Saqib (28) and Kurrram Baig (20 not out) took the game away from Lahore Lions. Amjad was named the Player of the Match. Friday's matches (semis): Sama Steel vs. Lahore Badshah at 7:15 a.m. and Pak Shaheen vs. KFSH Blues at 7:15 a.m.
