Islamabad, 27 March 2025: Sahibzada Farhan’s exceptional century and Peshawar’s disciplined bowling helped them clinch a convincing victory in the National T20 Cup semifinal at Iqbal Stadium.
Peshawar, batting first after being invited, showcased an imposing performance by piling up 243/3 in their 20 overs, maintaining a strong run rate of 12.15 per over.
The highlight of the innings was Sahibzada Farhan’s breathtaking knock of 148 runs off 72 deliveries.
His innings included 10 fours and 12 sixes, propelling Peshawar to a formidable total. Waqar Ahmed added 34 runs from 27 balls, hitting three fours and a six before departing at 116/1 in the 12th over.
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Maaz Sadaqat contributed with a rapid 31 off 17 balls, striking four boundaries and a six.
His dismissal at 221/2 in the 19th over hardly slowed the momentum. In the final overs, Muhammad Amir Barki smashed 20 runs off just five balls, striking at a rate of 400.
Skipper Iftikhar Ahmed remained unbeaten on two runs.
Abbottabad’s bowling attack struggled, with Shahab Khan, Yasir Shah, and Ahmed Khan picking up a wicket each.
The innings also saw Peshawar benefiting from eight extra runs, including six wides and two no-balls.
Chasing 244, Abbottabad fell short, managing only 187/8 despite a fighting half-century from Shahzaib Khan and a quick cameo from Sajjad Ali Hashmi.
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Shahzaib’s 53 off 43 balls included six fours and two sixes, while Sajjad added 37 off 22 deliveries. The duo gave Abbottabad a promising start before the latter’s dismissal at 74 in the seventh over.
Afaq Ahmed (14 off 6) and Khayam Khan (13 off 6) tried to accelerate, but consistent wickets halted their momentum. Middle-order batters Atizaz Habib Khan (5), Ahmed Khan (2), and Kamran Ghulam (2) failed to make a significant contribution.
Towards the end, Khalid Usman (17 off 10) and Shahab Khan (32* off 17) pushed the total past 180. Extras accounted for 11 runs.
Peshawar’s bowling unit delivered a disciplined performance, with Usman Tariq, Mohammad Imran Jr., Israrullah, and Iftikhar Ahmed all taking two wickets each, sealing an emphatic win and a place in the final.
