_akhbar.jpg)
KARACHI: Rawalpindiz snapped their eight-match losing streak with a convincing six-wicket victory over former champions Islamabad United at the National Bank Stadium on Thursday.
Chasing a modest target of 138, Rawalpindiz reached the total in the 19th over with four wickets in hand, thanks to a composed partnership between captain Mohammad Rizwan and Kamran Ghulam, followed by a steady finish from Daryl Mitchell and Dian Forrester.
The chase began disastrously as opener Abdullah Fazal was dismissed for a first-ball duck. However, Ghulam and Rizwan rebuilt the innings with a calm and controlled approach, stitching together a crucial 78-run partnership.
The stand was broken when Chris Green dismissed Ghulam, who scored a fluent 42 off 30 balls, including five fours and a six. Rizwan soon followed, falling to Shadab Khan after a fighting 45 off 38 deliveries, featuring five fours and a six, leaving Rawalpindiz at 92-3 in 12.5 overs.
Pressure mounted further when Sam Billings was run out for just two at the non-striker’s end, courtesy of sharp fielding by Shadab Khan. Despite the setback, Mitchell and Forrester held their nerve, guiding the team home with a sensible partnership. Mitchell remained unbeaten on 32 off 25 balls, striking two fours and a six, while Forrester contributed 13 runs to seal the win.
Earlier, Islamabad United were bowled out for 137, as Rawalpindiz’s bowlers delivered a disciplined and clinical performance. Openers Devon Conway and Sameer Minhas struggled to accelerate, managing just a 20-run stand before Mohammad Amir struck in the fifth over to dismiss Minhas for six. The pressure intensified in the final over of the powerplay when Naseem Shah removed Mohammad Faiq for five, leaving United at 29-2.
Saad Masood then delivered a crucial blow by dismissing Shadab Khan for just one in the seventh over, reducing Islamabad to 30-3. Conway and Mark Chapman attempted to stabilise the innings with a 49-run partnership that carried the total past 50.
However, Daryl Mitchell broke the stand by removing Conway for a well-made 40 off 33 balls, including three fours and two sixes. Asif Afridi further dented Islamabad’s progress by trapping Chapman lbw for 23.
Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals as Haider Ali managed only six before being dismissed by Saad Masood, while Mohammad Amir removed Faheem Ashraf for 11, leaving United struggling at 99-7 in 16.3 overs.
Chris Green provided late resistance with a quickfire 29 off 16 balls, hitting two fours and two sixes to push the total past 100. However, he was run out in the final over as Islamabad’s innings unraveled.
Dian Forrester then wrapped up the innings by dismissing Mohammad Hasnain for a duck and removing Richard Gleeson to finish with two wickets, capping off a strong all-round performance from Rawalpindiz.
