Aslam, Azhar set up Warriors win

A century from Federal United's captain Umar Amin went in vain, as the team succumbed to a 34-run defeat against Baluchistan Warriors in Karachi.

Warriors' win was built on the back of a strong batting performance, led by the Man of the Match Sami Aslam's 92. Warriors, after being inserted, began brightly as the openers Azhar Ali and Bismillah Khan put up an 85-run partnership. Bismillah fell for 47, but Aslam shared 50-plus stands with Azhar (75) and Usman Salahuddin (56) for the second and fourth wickets to lift the score to 323 for 5. Aslam slammed six fours and a six to make his way to 92, but was denied a ton as he was caught behind off Sarmad Bhatti in the 47th over for 92.

It meant that Federal United had to score more than six runs an over right from the off, and the team made a bright start to the chase, as Awais Zia (58) and Umar Waheed (46) propelled them to 140 inside 19 overs. However, Zia's dismissal hampered the team's progress, as Warriors fought their way back with wickets at key intervals. Amin carried on, hitting a 93-ball 100 with 15 fours and a six, but Federal United's last seven batsmen together contributed just 41 runs, as they were bundled out for 289 in 47.1 overs.

Mohammad Irfan was the pick of Warriors' bowlers, collecting 3 for 55, while Ehsan Adil, Rahat Ali and Kashif Bhatti snared two scalps each.