Pentangular Cup, 4th round, 4th day

Afridi heroics in vain as Federal Areas sneak home

Cricinfo staff

March 8, 2008

Federal Areas 295 (Majif 72, Zaidi 87, Khan 5-56) and 322 for 9 (Umair 106, Afridi 5-55) beat Sind 222 (Afridi 70, Tanvir 5-58) and 394 for 4 decl (Latif 74, Iqbal 105*, Rizwan 71) by one wicket
Scorecard

A tenth-wicket stand of 13 between Usman Saeed and Shehzad Azam guided Federal Areas to a tense victory over Sind on the final day at the Diamond Club Ground in Islamabad.

Set a target of 322, Federal Areas were boosted by opener Umair Khan's 106 before Shahid Afridi tilted the scales with his legspinners. Federal Areas were well placed at 262 for 5 before losing two wickets in quick succession without any addition to the score. Afridi later pegged away with quick lower-order wickets to give Sind a very realistic chance of winning, but the last-wicket pair hung on. Azam, the No.11, hastened his side's victory with a quick 12 which came off five deliveries, including two fours. Afridi finished with figures of 5 for 55 off 21 overs.

Earlier, Faisal Iqbal carried on from his overnight score of 77 to score a century. He remained unbeaten on 105, off 160 balls, before the captain Afridi made a sporting declaration. Faisal's overnight partner, Rizwan Ahmed, managed to add just one run to his score of 70 before he was dismissed by Sohail Tanvir.

Punjab 723 for 4 dec (Misbah 208*, Mahmood 94, Malik 60) beat Baluchistan 375 (Alam 84, Sadaf 55) and 220 (Alam 48, Aslam 51, Ahmed 47*) by an innings and 128 runs
Scorecard

It took just 15 deliveries for Punjab on the final day to complete the formalities and seal a comprehensive innings and 128-run victory against Baluchistan in Sialkot. Baluchistan were on the brink of defeat overnight on 207 for 8 and the overnight pair of Imranullah Aslam and Tanvir Ahmed managed to add 13 more before Junaid Zia sealed the deal. Aslam fell shortly after reaching his half-century before Zia struck again the next ball to send back Azharullah, the No.11.

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