Salim Malik batted elegantly for his majestic 138 that lifted the bankers from a precarious 46 for four to 300 for eight in the allotted 50 overs. The target turned out to be too much for the amateurs from Bahawalpur who finished at 204 for seven.
By virtue of this 86-run victory, Habib Bank were assured of a place in the second round which commences from March 26. The bankers, who have three wins from three games, face Karachi in their last match. A win would make them the pool leaders and they would then travel to Faisalabad for the second round.
However, the battle for the second qualifier from Pool A remains tight. But it is expected that Karachi Blues and Bangladesh winners will join Habib Bank. Karachi meet the ICC Trophy champions on Saturday at the National Stadium.
The hero of the day was Salim Malik whose graceful batting once perched him as a top batsman in the world. Malik batted with great concentration and determination to single-handedly carry the bankers to a winning score.
During the 116-minute knock that spanned over 142 minutes, Malik exhibited that he is one of the fittest and toughest Pakistan cricketers. He was quick between the wickets before a twisted ankle forced him to have a runner at the end of his innings. His eye seems to be to be in perfect shape in comparison to most other players around. But sadly, none of the officials were present to see Malik at his imperial best.
Malik struck 17 blistering boundaries and a six in a knock which earned him the Man-of-the-Match. Malik was never overawed by the Bahawalpur bowlers. His first 50 runs came off just 58 balls with seven boundaries. The next 50 runs, took 37 deliveries which included six hits to the fence.
Having come into bat at No 6 and being the eighth and last man out, Malik was given life too when Javed Sami dropped a straight forward catch at point when he was 38.
Malik shared in a 79-run fifth wicket partnership from 93 balls with Mujahid Jamsheed who contributed 31 from 67 balls with three boundaries.
Malik was also involved in a 65-run seventh wicket stand off 53 balls with Tahir Rasheed. The discarded Pakistan batsman dominated that stand as evident from the fact that Rasheed's contribution was just 19.
Bahawalpur bowlers were guilty of bowling too many foul balls. They bowled 27 wides and eight no-balls (16 runs) in 54 extras.
But when the association batsmen batted, they faced the reality that professional cricket was just too different. Only a 78-run seventh wicket stand between Saifullah and Iftikhar Ahmad took them to 204 for six in 50 overs.
Iftikhar and Saifullah full capitalised from some friendly bowling to hit half centuries. Iftikhar remained unbeaten on 56 that came off seven fours and a six while Saifullah hit five boundaries in his 51.