KARACHI: Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) cantered to a nine-wicket victory over National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) in the PCB Ramazan Twenty20 Cup match marred by rain at National Stadium here on Monday night. Chasing a revised target of 82 in nine overs, Babar Azam produced a sparkling innings to seal the win with more than an over to spare.

ZTBL inserted NBP in to bat and got rid of the openers inside three overs. With the score at 21 for 2, captain Kamran Akmal forged a 76-run partnership for the third wicket with Fawad Alam, who contributed 33. Akmal slammed six fours and two sixes to bring up his half-century in 38 balls, but Tahir Mahmood had Akmal caught in the 13th over, which dented National Bank’s acceleration. ZTBL captain Imran Nazir accounted for Alam in the 17th over and five balls later, rain put paid to the first innings and took out a good chunk of the second as well.

With nine overs to reach their target of 82, ZTBL began expansively. Nazir struck two fours and a six but fell in the second over. Azam took control of the chase, flaying legspinner Usman Qadir for three fours in his first over. Azam finished with 32 off 15 balls and was ably supported by Sharjeel Khan. Their 59-run unbeaten stand, which came in 32 balls, took ZTBL across the line with ease.