Abbottabad Clinches Victory Over Sialkot in a Spirited Comeback Courtesy Yasir Shah

In a captivating turnaround, Abbottabad secured a well-deserved win against Sialkot during the Super Eight stage of the National T20 Cup 2023-24, avenging their previous loss. The match unfolded at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi and proved to be a nail-biting encounter where Abbottabad emerged victorious, chasing down Sialkot’s target of 119 with five wickets in hand and 14 balls to spare.

Sialkot, led by Shoaib Malik, elected to bat first after winning the toss, with their openers setting a promising tone initially. However, Abbottabad’s Adil Naz struck early, dismissing Mohammad Huraira (15 runs off 12 balls) with a ball that crashed into the stumps. Despite a steady start, Abbottabad’s skipper, Yasir Shah, orchestrated a gripping spin web in the middle overs along with Khalid Usman and Kamran Ghulam. Yasir’s spell was particularly incisive, claiming two crucial wickets in consecutive overs, including the well-set Mirza Tahir Baig (38 runs off 29 balls) who fell in an unusual manner due to a cramp while attempting a pull shot.

Sialkot struggled in the latter phase of their innings, managing a meager 36 runs in the last seven overs and losing four wickets, setting a target of 119 for Abbottabad.

In response, Abbottabad’s top order led by Sajjad Ali Jnr (50 runs off 45 balls) and Aneez Azam (18 runs off 15 balls) provided a solid foundation. Despite the spinners Bilal Asif and Hamza Nazar creating some breakthroughs, Kamran Ghulam’s valuable contribution (26 runs off 21 balls) fortified Abbottabad’s position. Atizaz Habib Khan’s unbeaten 12 runs ensured Abbottabad comfortably crossed the finishing line with ample deliveries remaining.

Yasir Shah’s exceptional bowling performance earned him the Player of the Match award, as his tight and impactful spell of 3 wickets for 12 runs played a pivotal role in restricting Sialkot and paved the way for Abbottabad’s triumph.

The thrilling encounter displayed Abbottabad’s resilience and cohesive performance, setting the stage for an enthralling continuation in the tournament.