Rizwan fifty propels SNGPL to final

Mohammad Rizwan's composed half-century led Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited to the final of the first National Department Twenty20 Cup, beating Pakistan International Airlines by nine wickets. Rizwan struck five fours and two sixes during his 60 off 54 balls to help overhaul a middling target of 108, with three overs to spare.

The chase began briskly as left-arm seamer Najaf Shah's opening over went for 10 runs, but he bounced back in his next to dismiss Taufeeq Umar (12 off 8), who holed out to mid-on. SNGPL survived another scare in the same over when it appeared Rizwan had been caught behind, but replays showed Shah had overstepped. Rizwan was on at two at time and took full advantage as went on to reach his first fifty of the tournament with a six over mid-wicket. Ali Waqas (28 off 41) lent good support as their unbeaten 93-run union for the second wicket ensured a comprehensive victory.

Earlier, PIA, who had been put in, began poorly as Imran Ali knocked over both openers for single-figures. The Malik brothers, Adeel and Shoaib, attempted to stabilise the innings but the spinners kept them on a tight leash and soon Yasir Shah, the legspinner, lured Adeel with an overpitched delivery which was hit straight to Samiullah Khan at mid-off.

Shoaib, who was ignored for the Pakistan T20 squad due to face Sri Lanka next week, held the innings together. He laced three consecutive sixes off Tanveer Sikandar in the 17th over, but PIA's hopes of a competitive total faded with his dismissal in the next over. Fahad Iqbal (8 off 6) and Sheharyar Ghani (14 off 12) contributed 20 in 15 last balls to push their side past 100.