Faisalabad Wolves v Peshawar Panthers – Faysal Bank T-20 Cup, 2012/13 (Group B) – Match Update – Wolves win by 7 wickets

Faisalabad Wolves v Peshawar Panthers – Faysal Bank T-20 Cup, 2012/13 (Group B) – Match Update – Wolves win by 7 wickets

A vital unbeaten partnership between Faisalabad Wolves skipper Misbah-ul-Haq and Imran Khalid enabled the team to execute a successful chase in their Group B match during the ongoing Faysal Bank T-20 Cup, going on to clinch a 7-wicket win over the Peshawar Panthers, at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore today on December 5.

The Wolves won the toss and decided to field first, after which the bowling attack proceeded to share the spoils between themselves, with Asad Ali, Samiullah Khan, and Khurram Shehzad all picking up one wicket each.

The Panthers’ opener Iftikhar Ahmed was sent back to the pavilion early by Samiullah Khan, after a mere 4-run contribution, but Israrullah (56) and Nawaz Ahmed (13) teamed up for a 35-run partnership. Nawaz Ahmed was eventually run-out by Imran Khalid, and by the time Israrullah followed him back to the pavilion in the 14^th over, caught and bowled by Khurram Shehzad, the team total had reached 81.

Shoaib Khan (24*) drove the remainder of the innings, and aided by wicketkeeper batsman Gauhar Ali (11) and Zohaib Khan (22*), managed to get the Panthers up to a final score of 135 by the end of 20 overs, at the expense of 4 wickets.

The Panthers’ Mohammad Aslam and skipper Akbar Badshah picked up early wickets which appeared to put the Wolves at a disadvantage – however, as the match progressed the Panthers’ aggressive edge was blunted considerably, and the team eventually lost their control over the opposition’s batsmen.

The Wolves’ top-order put up a mediocre performance, with Farrukh Shehzad (10), Ali Waqas (29), and Khurram Shehzad (18) all managing average outings. Shehzad was stumped by Gauhar Ali off Mohammad Aslam in the fourth over, Ali Waqas was dismissed by Akbar Badshah, and Khurram Shehzad was run out by Mohammad Aslam, leaving the Wolves at a wobbly 66 for 3 by the 11^th over.

However, skipper and Player of the Match Misbah-ul-Haq took charge of the chase, and top-scored with an unbeaten 43. He was joined by Imran Khalid (36*) for a steady 71*-run partnership for the fourth wicket, which saw the Wolves home safe, enabling them to reach 137, with 7 wickets still in hand, and 10 balls remaining.