RAWALPINDI: All-rounder Faheem Ashraf’s scintillating half-century (54 off 22 balls) went in vain as a brilliant final over by Mohammad Abbas sealed a thrilling three-run win for Southern Punjab against Central Punjab in the 24th match of the National T20 Cup for First XI teams at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi on Tuesday night. Faheem stole the limelight in the death overs after coming to bat with his side requiring 81 off the last 40 balls with five wickets standing. He went onto hit four fours and five sixes but was eventually dismissed for 54 off 22 balls on the last ball of the penultimate over leaving Central Punjab 12 runs short of the target. Abbas bowled a brilliant final over in which he conceded a mere eight runs and dismissed Usman Qadir (six) off the final ball to earn his side a much-needed victory that has kept their hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals alive. Southern Punjab now have four points from eight games while Central Punjab have six from nine matches, Southern Punjab still need to win their last two matches and hope for some favourable results to sneak through to the semi-finals. Scores in brief Southern Punjab 205-3, 20 overs (Hussain Talat 59 not out, Shan Masood 50, Khushdil Shah 47 not out; Zafar Gohar 2-20) VS Central Punjab 202-8, 20 overs (Faheem Ashraf 54, Kamran Akmal 32, Muhammad Akhlaq 30; Mohammad Abbas 3-41, Aamer Yamin 2-38, Muhammad Imran 2-43) Result: Southern Punjab won by three runs Man-of-the-match: Mohammad Abbas (Southern Punjab).