Peshawar hang on for nail-biting draw

Peshawar barely hung on for a draw against Pakistan Television at the Arab Niaz Stadium in Peshawar. A century from Raheel Majeed and his 154-run stand with Awais Zia had propelled PT to 271 for 7 in just 38.4 overs. Both scored at better than a run-a-ball and were intent on trying to force a win, as PT extended their lead to 322. And Peshawar were brave enough to make a dash for it. In a thrilling chase, opener Gauhar Ali set the tone with 48 off 54, while Sajjad Ahmed (67 in 97) and captain Akbar Badshah (80 in 100) consolidated what Gauhar had begun. At 224 for 4, there was still hope for Peshawar, on the back foot since conceding a first-innings lead, but a collapse followed where five wickets fell for 46. Seamer Saad Altaf and left-arm spinner Yasim Murtaza shared six wickets and took their side to the brink of a win, but the last-wicket pair of Mohammad Farooq and Sajjad Ahmed batted out a nervy phase to draw the game. Peshawar are second from bottom, while PT are seventh.