image credit | PCB
Sharjeel Khan and Sarfaraz Ahmed helped Sindh defeat Northern by four wickets in the sixth match of the National T20 Cup. The swashbuckling opener scored 43 off 24 to set up the modest chase of 137 runs.
After his departure, Sarfaraz (42), along with Anwar Ali (31) took the responsibility to complete the chase in the last over.
Earlier, Northern skipper Shadab Khan won the toss and opted to bat first. The idea could have been to post a massive total on the board, given the power-packed batting lineup they possess.
However, Sarfaraz was well prepared to cope with the power hitters of Northern. Sindh bowlers bowled brilliantly and kept taking wickets at a regular interval to defy Northern batters from stretching their hands.
Northern openers, Umer Amin (18) and Zeeshan Malik (11) provided a quick start, before losing the plot completely. From 27/1, Northern slipped to 81/5 in the 14th over.
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Northern’s strong middle order could not provide the required support, losing wickets regularly without building bigger partnerships. Captain Shadab Khan went for 7, Haider Ali scored 8, while Asif Ali scored 10. Muhammad Nawaz was the only batsman to touch the 30-run mark, followed by a quick 18 from Imad Waseem and a 9-ball 19 from Haris Rauf took Northern to a respectable total of 136.
Shahnawaz Dahani, Pakistan’s travelling reserve for the T20 World Cup, took three wickets for 26 while Mohammad Hasnain and Zahid Mahmood bagged two wickets apiece.
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Sindh, in response, lost three quick wickets of Khurram Manzoor (1), Shan Masood (4) and Saud Shakeel (8), but Sharjeel kept scoring big. He, along with skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed stitched a 37-run stand for the fourth wicket before Sharjeel departed for his 43. Danish Azeez (5 from 11) also fell cheaply, making a small chase of 137 look difficult for Sindh.
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Sarfaraz, however, kept his head cool and continued to play the field, along with Anwar Ali. The pair added 45 runs for the sixth wicket stand to take the game away from Northern.
Shadab’s men put up a fight but failed to defend the 136 run target.
