Latest news with #Abbottabad
Times of Oman
16-04-2025
- Sport
- Times of Oman
Pakistan's Sahibzada Farhan joins Kohli, Gill in four-ton club, becomes fifth player to achieve milestone
Rawalpindi : Pakistan and Islamabad United opener Sahibzada Farhan cemented his place in history after joining the ranks of Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler in the elite list of players who have struck four T20 centuries in a calendar year. The 29-year-old achieved the feat during Islamabad United's emphatic 102-run victory against Peshawar Zalmi in the ongoing edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Monday. Farhan continued to ride high on his prolific form and made Peshawar's bowlers tilt at the windmills on Rawalpindi's benign batting strip. He singlehandedly decimated Peshawar with his explosive display with the bat and hammered 106 from a mere 52 deliveries, striking handsomely at 203.85 and lacing it with a staggering 13 boundaries and five towering maximums. With another ton to his name, Farhan joined the exclusive list of Virat, Gayle, Gill and Buttler to become the fifth player to slam four T20 centuries in a calendar year. Gayle, the legendary West Indies and the 'Universal Boss' opener was the first to achieve the feat in 2011. Virat was the second to achieve the feat, following his blistering display in 2016. The former England white-ball skipper was next to follow after he scripted the feat in 2022, and Gill became the fourth entry with his swashbuckling centuries in 2023. Before his exploits against Peshawar, Farhan had tonked three centuries earlier this year. While featuring for the Peshawar Region, Farhan slammed an unbeaten 114(59) to steer his side to a commanding 8-wicket triumph on March 15. Within a week, Farhan had his second T20 century after clobbering Quetta with his scorching 162* from 72 deliveries. Five days later, Farhan cracked another century in the semi-final of Pakistan's National T20 Cup. He tormented Abbottabad with his 148(72) and lifted Peshawar to a comfortable 56-run victory.
Express Tribune
28-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
WATCH: Salman Butt trolls Iftikhar Ahmed's celebration after wicket
Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt took a dig at all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed during commentary in the National T20 Cup semi-final between Peshawar and Abbottabad on 26 March. The moment unfolded when Iftikhar bowled Kamran Ghulam for just two runs. Excited by the dismissal, Iftikhar exchanged words with the departing batter. Butt, surprised by the reaction, sarcastically remarked that Iftikhar must have felt as if he had dismissed legendary West Indies batter Viv Richards. The comment quickly gained traction, with fans discussing Butt's blunt humour. Peshawar dominated the match, posting 243-3, led by a century from Sahibzada Farhan. Abbottabad, despite a fighting fifty from Shahzaib Khan, fell short by 56 runs, managing 187-8. However, Peshawar's momentum did not carry into the final, where they were outplayed by Lahore, losing by nine wickets. Iftikhar, who top-scored for Peshawar, could not prevent defeat. The all-rounder last played for Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup against India but was dropped after inconsistent performances.
Express Tribune
28-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Farhan powers Peshawar into final
Sahibzada Farhan's brilliant batting display helped Peshawar Region reach the final of the National T20 Cup after a big win against Abbottabad in the first semifinal at Iqbal Stadium on Wednesday. Peshawar were asked to bat first and put up a huge total of 243 runs for three wickets in their 20 overs. They scored at an impressive run rate of over 12 runs per over. The star of the innings was Sahibzada Farhan, who smashed a record-breaking 148 runs off just 72 balls. His innings included 10 fours and 12 massive sixes, with a striking rate of over 200. His powerful knock set the perfect platform for his team. Waqar Ahmed supported him well, scoring 34 runs off 27 balls. He hit three boundaries and a six before losing his wicket when the team score was 116 in 11.1 overs. Maaz Sadaqat also played a quick innings, making 31 runs off 17 balls with four fours and a six. He got out at 221/2 in 18.5 overs but helped maintain the strong momentum. Chasing a big target, Abbottabad managed 187 runs for eight wickets in their 20 overs. Shahzaib scored 53 runs off 43 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes. Sajjad Ali Hashmi added 37 runs off 22 balls with a strike rate of 168.18. Their partnership gave Abbottabad a good start before Sajjad got out when the score was 74 in the seventh over. Afaq Ahmed (14 off 6) and Khayam Khan (13 off 6) tried to keep up the scoring rate, but Abbottabad kept losing wickets. Atizaz Habib Khan (5), Ahmed Khan (2), and Kamran Ghulam (2) could not make an impact. For Peshawar, Usman Tariq, Mohammad Imran Jr., Israrullah, and Iftikhar Ahmed all took two wickets each.
Express Tribune
27-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Sahibzada Farhan breaks T20 record as Peshawar reach National T20 Cup final
Sahibzada Farhan's record-breaking century and a disciplined bowling display powered Peshawar into the final of the National T20 Cup after a 56-run victory over Abbottabad in the first semifinal at Iqbal Stadium on Wednesday. Farhan smashed 148 off 72 balls, including 10 fours and 12 sixes, setting the platform for Peshawar's imposing 243/3. With this innings, he became the highest run-scorer in a single edition of the National T20 Cup, amassing 588 runs in just six innings. He surpassed his own previous record of 492 runs in 12 innings last season and equalled Fakhar Zaman's Pakistan record of 588 runs in a single T20 tournament, set in PSL 2022. Waqar Ahmed contributed 34 off 27, Maaz Sadaqat added a quick 31 off 17, and Muhammad Amir Barki provided late fireworks with 20 off five. Abbottabad's bowlers struggled, with Shahab Khan, Yasir Shah, and Ahmed Khan taking one wicket each. Farhan's innings, widely praised for his power hitting abilities, was his 3rd 100 of the 2025 National T20 Cup. Chasing 244, Abbottabad's Shahzaib Khan led the effort with 53 off 43, while Sajjad Ali Hashmi struck 37 off 22. Afaq Ahmed (14) and Khayam Khan (13) played quick cameos, but the middle order faltered. Late resistance from Khalid Usman (17) and Shahab Khan (32*) helped Abbottabad finish at 187/8. Peshawar's bowling unit, led by Usman Tariq, Mohammad Imran Jr., Israrullah, and Iftikhar Ahmed, shared two wickets each, securing a dominant victory and a place in the final.
Express Tribune
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Kamran Ghulam leads Abbottabad to victory over Lahore and National T20 cup semis
A collective bowling effort, followed by Kamran Ghulam's unbeaten half-century, powered Abbottabad Region into the National T20 Cup semi-finals with a six-wicket win over Lahore Whites at Iqbal Stadium on Sunday. Opting to bowl first, Abbottabad captain Yasir Shah saw his bowlers limit Lahore Whites to 130/5 in 20 overs, despite Muhammad Akhlaq's fighting knock. The wicketkeeper-batter anchored the innings with 59 off 49 balls, hitting seven fours and a six. Kamran Afzal added a late 25-run cameo, but Lahore Whites struggled for momentum. Khalid Usman led Abbottabad's bowling attack with figures of 2/15 in four overs, while Arshad Iqbal and Yasir Shah took a wicket each. In response, Abbottabad chased the 131-run target with ease, reaching it in 17.5 overs with six wickets in hand. Kamran Ghulam starred in the chase, scoring an unbeaten 58 off 41 balls, striking six fours and two sixes. He built key partnerships with Shahzaib Khan (28) and Afaq Ahmed (31) to steer his side to victory. Ghulam's match-winning innings earned him the Player of the Match award. For Lahore Whites, Mohammad Faiq, Kamran, Mohammad Salman, and Ubaid Shah claimed one wicket each. Abbottabad's semi-final opponent will be determined after the remaining three quarter-finals. The second quarter-final between Karachi Whites and Multan is set to take place later today, with two more fixtures scheduled for Monday.
