RAWALPINDI - Test-discarded Umar Amin batted Rawalpindi to crucial victory over Islamabad in the crucial match of the National T20 Cup here at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Umar was star of the day for Rawalpindi as he was in awesome form and batted brilliantly. He once again showed the selectors that he was highly talented but he was always given step-motherly treatment. Umar thwarted unbeaten 74 off 49 balls, hitting 5 fours and 4 sixes and also named player of the match for his outstanding knock. M Irfan took 3-35.

Rawalpindi got off to the worst possible start as opener Awais Zia was out in the third over when the team’s total was 18. Hammad Azam and Umar Amin put on 94 runs for the fifth wicket. Hammad made 34 off 25 balls, hitting 3 fours and 1 sixer, which laid the foundation of Rawalpindi victory. Mukhtar scored 40 runs.

Rawalpindi Region head coach Sabih Azhar once again denied Naved Malik chance to open his arms and continued with his blue-eyed Zahid Mansoor who first conceded 20 runs in 2 overs. The talented players of the twin cities have been suffering since long as Islamabad and Rawalpindi are controlled by highly powerful and arrogant Shakil Shaikh, who only knows to reap all the benefits and give top priority to his sons and blue-eyed players.

Earlier, Islamabad skipper won the toss and opted to bat first. Boom Boom Afirid was finally available for the capital side. Veteran opener Raheel Majeed once again failed to convert into big total and was out after scoring 23. Imam-ul-Haq and Adil Amin put on 74 runs for the third wicket. Imam made 54 while Adil added 44. Afridi helped Islamabad post a handsome total of 174-4. He made 26 off 13 deliveries. Zulfiqar Babar was the most successful Pindi bowler as he bagged 2-17.

Earlier, Peshawar registered thumping seven-wicket victory against out-of-sort Fata. Fata, batting first, played well and posted 114-7. Veteran Test opening batsman Yasir Hameed tried to put up a decent show and top scored with 35 while Bilal Asif made 29 and Umar Siddique 17. Anwar Ali was wrecker-in-chief for Peshawar as he grabbed 3-23, while Imran Khan Junior, Waqar, Zohaib and Imran Khalid got one wicket apiece.