A stunning maiden List-A century from Rizwan Mehmood propelled SNGPL to a 74-run victory over WAPDA in the first semi-final of the President’s Cup One-Day tournament at the Jinnah Stadium in Gujranwala. The 20-year-old Rizwan, batting at No. 5, scored an unbeaten 136 off 116 balls, rescuing his team from an early collapse and leading them to an imposing total of 333-6.
Put in to bat, SNGPL was in trouble at 35-3, but Rizwan’s century, laced with 14 fours and a six, stabilized the innings. He was supported by Hasan Rizwan, who scored a crucial 55, and debutant Saad Masood, whose quick-fire 44* off 27 balls in an unbroken 89-run partnership gave the defending champions a late boost.
Chasing 334, WAPDA struggled, losing regular wickets and finding themselves at 88-5. Despite a 61 from Mohammad Arif and a resilient 73 from Khalid Usman, WAPDA fell short, bowled out for 259 in 45.3 overs. Khalid’s late heroics included six fours and four sixes, but SNGPL’s bowlers, led by Hasan Nawaz (2-20) and Bilawal Bhatti (2-45), held firm to seal the win.
The victory sends SNGPL to the President’s Cup final, where they await the winner of Monday’s second semi-final between Pakistan Television and State Bank of Pakistan.
Scores in Brief:
SNGPL beat WAPDA by 74 runs
SNGPL 333-6, 50 overs (Rizwan Mehmood 136*, Hasan Rizwan 55, Hasan Nawaz 46, Saad Masood 44*; Ali Raza 2-86)
WAPDA 259 all out, 45.3 overs (Khalid Usman 73, Mohammad Arif 61, Mohammad Zeeshan 30, Ayaz Tasawar 30; Hasan Rizwan 2-14, Hasan Nawaz 2-20, Bilawal Bhatti 2-45)
Tomorrow’s Fixture:
Second Semi-final, 1:45 PM PKT – Pakistan Television vs State Bank of Pakistan, Jinnah Stadium, Gujranwala
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