Abbottabad Beat Multan in National T20 Cup Thriller
Abbottabad Beat Multan : Abbottabad produced a stunning performance to defeat Multan by eight wickets in a last-ball thriller at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium in Peshawar on Sunday night . Chasing a challenging target of 204 runs, Abbottabad secured victory on the final delivery after a dramatic no-ball and a six from Khushdil Shah .
Kamran Ghulam was the hero for Abbottabad, smashing an unbeaten 95 off just 48 balls, an innings decorated with seven fours and five sixes . His knock, combined with half-centuries from other batters, guided his team to the top of Group B standings .
Abbottabad Beat Multan : Match Summary at a Glance
Team Score Overs Result
- Multan 203/6 20 Lost by 8 wickets
- Abbottabad 205/2 20 Won
Player of the Match: Kamran Ghulam (Abbottabad) for his unbeaten 95 off 48 balls
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Multan’s Innings: Saeed and Shahzad Power Big Total
Multan captain Imam-ul-Haq won the toss and elected to bat first, a decision that initially seemed to backfire when his team slipped to 16 for two inside 2.1 overs . The innings lost opener Mohammad Naeem (10) and Imam-ul-Haq himself for just 1 .
The recovery was led by debutant Moheer Saeed, who played a sensational knock of 76 off just 41 balls, smashing eight fours and four sixes . He combined with wicketkeeper-batter Bismillah Khan (45 off 30) to add 113 runs for the third wicket, lifting Multan to 129 after 12.3 overs .
Muhammad Shahzad then provided the late fireworks, remaining unbeaten on 54 off just 26 balls with four fours and four sixes, propelling Multan to 203 for 6 in their 20 overs .
Among the Abbottabad bowlers, guest player Shadab Khan was the standout performer, claiming three wickets for 35 runs in his four overs . Shahab Khan and Razaullah picked up one wicket each .
Abbottabad’s Chase: Ghulam’s Heroics Seal Thriller
Chasing 204 for victory, Abbottabad’s innings was anchored by half-centuries from Kamran Ghulam and opener Shahzaib Khan . Shahzaib contributed a solid 52 off 42 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes, sharing a crucial 79-run partnership for the second wicket with Ghulam .
The Dramatic Final Over
The match reached its climax when Abbottabad needed 19 runs off the final over, bowled by pacer Hasan Hafeez .
- Ball 1-2: Two runs collected from the first two deliveries
- Ball 3: Kamran launched the third delivery for a six, reducing the equation to 11 off three
- Ball 4-5: Kamran ran two doubles off the next two balls, leaving his side needing seven off the last delivery
- Ball 6: Kamran could only sky the final delivery, a waist-high full toss, off which they managed only a single
Abbottabad were thrown a lifeline when replays showed the ball was over Kamran’s waistline, turning it into a no-ball and leaving five needed off the extra delivery .
Final Ball: Khushdil Shah, who was batting on 24 off 16, sealed the dramatic win by pulling another full toss over fine leg for a maximum
Khushdil remained unbeaten on 30 off 17 balls, hitting two sixes and a four . Kamran Ghulam’s magnificent unbeaten 95 came off just 48 balls at a strike rate of nearly 198 and earned him the Player of the Match award .
Statistical Highlights
- Kamran Ghulam’s 95*: His innings was the backbone of the successful chase, featuring seven sixes and five fours at a strike rate of 197.91
- Moheer Saeed’s 76: The debutant’s knock was the highest score for Multan and included eight fours and four sixes
- Shadab Khan’s 3/35: The guest player’s three-wicket haul was crucial in restricting Multan
- 203/6: Multan’s total was built on half-centuries from three batters
- Group Standings: With the victory, Abbottabad moved to the top of Group B, while Multan dropped to the bottom
Analysis by Best Pak Mag
This Abbottabad vs Multan clash was a classic example of T20 cricket at its finest – high scoring, momentum shifts, and a finish that had everything. Kamran Ghulam’s unbeaten 95 was a masterclass in chase construction, but it was the final over that will be remembered for years .
The no-ball decision on the last legitimate delivery was a game-changer. With seven needed off the final ball, Hasan Hafeez’s waist-high full toss gave Abbottabad a reprieve, and Khushdil Shah made no mistake with the free hit, depositing it over fine leg for six . In a game of fine margins, that one illegal delivery proved decisive.
Multan will rue their inability to close out the match despite posting a formidable 203. Moheer Saeed’s debut innings of 76 was a statement, and Muhammad Shahzad’s late hitting gave his bowlers plenty to defend . But the bowling attack couldn’t contain Kamran Ghulam when it mattered most.
For Abbottabad, this victory demonstrates their depth and resilience. With guest players like Shadab Khan (3/35) and Khushdil Shah (30*) contributing significantly, they have the balance to go deep in the tournament . Kamran Ghulam’s form is a massive positive – his 95 not out came under immense pressure and showcased his ability to finish games.
The win propels Abbottabad to the top of Group B, while Multan must regroup quickly . In a short tournament like the National T20 Cup, momentum is everything, and Abbottabad have seized it in style.
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