Abbottabad defeated Karachi Blues by eight wickets in the seventh match of the National T20 Cup at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium, successfully chasing a daunting target of 202 runs.
Top-order batters Shahzaib Khan and Kamran Ghulam led the chase with blistering half-centuries, helping Abbottabad reach the target comfortably with 20 balls to spare.
After being put in to bat first, Karachi Blues posted a formidable total of 201-4 in their allotted 20 overs. The innings was anchored by right-handed opener Ahsan Ali, who scored a brisk 67 off just 36 deliveries. His knock included seven fours and three sixes.
Ahsan was well supported by fellow opener Jahanzaib Sultan, who scored 42 from 29 balls. Wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan also made a valuable contribution, adding 40 runs from 25 deliveries.
For Abbottabad, Shadab Khan was the standout bowler, taking two wickets for 32 runs in his four overs. Shahab Khan and Arshad Iqbal picked up one wicket each.
Chasing the challenging target of 202, Abbottabad made a steady start but lost their opener Sajjad Ali Hashmi for just one run with the score at 18.
However, Shahzaib Khan and Kamran Ghulam staged an outstanding recovery with a match-defining partnership. The pair added 115 runs at a brisk pace for the second wicket, putting Abbottabad firmly back in control of the chase.
Khalil Ahmed eventually broke the partnership by dismissing Shahzaib Khan, who scored 75 off 38 deliveries. His innings included 11 fours and three sixes.
After Shahzaib’s dismissal, Kamran Ghulam partnered with all-rounder Khushdil Shah, and the pair guided Abbottabad to victory with an unbeaten 70-run partnership.
Ghulam finished as the top scorer for Abbottabad with an unbeaten 81 from 42 deliveries, hitting 11 fours and two sixes. Khushdil Shah remained not out on 38 from 16 balls, striking four fours and two sixes.
For Karachi Blues, Jahandad Khan and Khalil Ahmed took one wicket each.
The eight-wicket victory helped Abbottabad move to the top of the Group B standings in the National T20 Cup. The team now has four points from two matches.
