Lahore Lions start title defence in style

Defending champions claim massive 122-run win over Ibexes.

KARACHI: Reigning domestic T20 champions Lahore Lions launched their Haier T20 Cup campaign in style as a sublime Kamran Akmal innings guided them to a 122-run win over Dera Murad Jamali Ibexes in their Group D fixture at the National Stadium of Karachi on Monday.

Lahore Lions team ‘A’ is currently playing at Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20) in India, so the team ‘B’ is taking part in the cup.

The Azhar Ali-led Lions took advantage of the pitch that was used for the third game on the trot to post a daunting total of 177. Akmal scored 70 off 40 balls with one six and twelve boundaries.

Imamul Haq (38) and Abid Ali (36) also contributed, while Shabbir Ali claimed two wickets for Ibexes.

Chasing 178, Ibexes were only able to make 55 as they were bowled out in 14 overs. Muhammad Aftab took three wickets for 15 runs. Captain Azhar Ali claimed three lower-order batsmen for 10 runs. Najeebullah top scored with 22.

Leopards down Jaguars by 34 runs

Brilliant bowling by Shahzad Alam and Raza Hasan  guided Islamabad Leopards to a 34-run win against unheralded Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Jaguars – making their first appearance in the competition – in their opening Group C match.

Asked to bat first, Leopards posted a total of 149 at the loss of five wickets as Zohaib Ahmed scored a 33-ball 46 not out with five boundaries, while Imdam Wasim made 27. Naqash Basharat and Arsalan Asif took two wickets apiece for the Jaguars.

Chasing 150, the Jaguars were bowled out for 115 with six deliveries remaining as Alam and Hasan claimed three wickets each and gave away 31 and 16 runs respectively. Hasan Raza’s 28 was the top score for the losing side.

Falcons register 54-run victory over Stags

Fakhar Zaman’s half-century and three wickets by skipper Ahmed Jamal lead Abbotabad Falcons to a 54-run victory over Bahawalpur Stags in the opening match of Group D.

Batting first, Zaman’s 60 off 48 balls and Kamran Ghulam’s 36-run cameo off 13 balls aided the Younus Khan-led Falcons to post 174 for the loss of five wickets.



Muhammad Mudasir and Hamid Ali took two wickets apiece for Stags. Chasing 175, Stags were restricted to 122 for the loss of nine wickets. Jamal took three wickets and gave away only 18, while Fazle Rabbi and Shakeel Ahmed took two wickets each.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 23^rd, 2014.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.