Sensational Nawaz Takes IAP To The Final

IAP batted first against Meezan Bank in the semi final of the 10th Challengers Corporate Cup. Openers Umer and Rameez knocked cameos in their twenties but were unable to really take off in their innings. Once the pair were dismissed, one down Ahmed Nawaz was out for duck. Panic struck as there were a flurry of quick wickets before Asfar Zaidi, Sameer Butt and Nawaz Khan stepped in steady the innings. Asfar smashed 26 while Sameer carried the momentum forward with a valuable 37 not out. The real star however was Nawaz Khan whose 40 not out came at a strike rate of over 200 to propel IAP to a defendable 167 for 5 in 20 overs. Meezan Bank bowlers did well to keep the pressure on, with Asfar Khan taking 2 wickets in his spell.

In response, Meezan Bank were off to a flying start with opener Faisal Iqbal knocking 38 runs. His partner Sadaqat was dismissed cheaply for 18 but Asfar Khan remained undeterred, scoring 37 runs. The team seemed well on their way to chase down the target before the collapse came. Once the top order was dismissed, the rest of the team simply fell apart, not a single other player able to build an innings to carry his side. Nawaz Khan was the key culprit, taking 3 wickets in his spell with Umer Noor chipping in with 2. IAP bowlers did well to restrict the flow of runs and take wickets when needed. They limited Meezan Bank at 145 for 8 in 20 overs. 

IAP won by 22 runs.

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