KARACHI
A third successive century from Rafatullah Mohmand and a four-wicket spell from Junaid Khan helped Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) storm into the final of the President's One-day Cup, by crushing National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) by 119 runs here at the National Stadiu. Wapda will take on Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited at same venue tomorrow.
In first semi-final, Misbah-led Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited defeated Habib Bank Limited team to make it to the finals the other day.
Wapda lost the toss but they had a strong start, with their openers, Mohmand and Saad Nasim, adding 135 for the first wicket in 23 overs. Saad was the first to fall, for 57, but Mohmand went on to add 93 for the second wicket with Shoaib Maqsood. Mohmand's 115 - his third century in as many innings - came off 118 deliveries. Maqsood scored 68 and cameos from Aamer Sajjad and Mohammad Ayub led WAPDA to 330 for the loss of five wickets. They scored 79 in the last 51 balls as the Wapda batsmen played at their will and never let the NBP bowlers off the hook.
NBP's chase began poorly as opener Nasir Jamshed was dismissed for 9. The rest of the top-order batsmen got starts but only Fawad Alam made a significant score - 60 - and his solitary effort wasn't enough to take NBP close to the target. Pakistan left-arm quick Junaid Khan ripped through the middle and lower order, taking four wickets to skittle NBP for 211 in 40.2 overs.
BRIEF SCORES: WAPDA 330 for 5 (Mohmand 115, Maqsood 68) beat NBP 211 (Alam 60, Junaid 4-36) by 119 runs.