Sialkot, who won the Super8 T20 recently, impressed in their first game as they claimed a seven-run win over Karachi Whites. PHOTO: APP
KARACHI:
A record-breaking century by opener Mukhtar Ahmed led Sialkot to a seven-run victory over Karachi Whites in the opening match of the National T20 Cup 2015-16 at the Pindi Stadium on Tuesday.
Opting to bat first, Sialkot posted a strong total of 198-5 in their allotted 20 overs as Mukhtar took Karachi Whites bowlers to the cleaners early on with a 67-ball 123 that included a record 18 fours and three sixes. Mukhtar’s partner Nauman Anwar also made a superb 51 off just 34 balls as the openers put on 125 in only 12 overs.
Chasing 199, Karachi Whites made a valiant effort but ultimately fell agonisingly short by eight runs, finishing 191-6. Ahsan Ali, 22, was the pick of the batsmen for the Karachi side, scoring 76 off 46 balls. Tariq Haroon provided some fireworks at the end, making 32 off 17 balls but was unable to take his side through.
At the Marghzar Ground in Islamabad, Hyderabad skipper Sharjeel Khan led from the front to help his side chase down Multan’s potentially tricky 187-run target with ease.
Put in to bat first, Multan made 186 with Sohaib Maqsood making 77 off 50 balls and Naved Yasin scoring 55 off 31 balls in a superb century stand to recover from 32-3.
In reply, Hyderabad reached 190 for the loss of just two wickets with eight balls to spare as Sharjeel scored 91 off just 45 balls and Faisal Athar made a 41-ball 56 to put the duo at 92 to take the match away from Multan.
Hyderabad coach Iqbal Inam was delighted with the win. “A win in the opening match always raises morale,” he said. “The teamwork was brilliant today and the boys did exactly what we discussed.”
In the other match at Islamabad, Karachi Blues defeated Abbottabad by seven wickets. Chasing 154, the Karachi side reached the target in only 16.4 overs as Khalid Latif scored an unbeaten 65 off 36 balls with Fawad Alam making 45 not out off 31 balls.
Earlier, asked to bat first, Abbottabad were restricted to 153-8 as Muhammad Sami and Rumman Raees took two wickets apiece, giving away 24 and 33 runs respectively.
In the other match at Pindi, two fours, a single and two extra were enough for Lahore Whites to claim a narrow three-wicket win over Islamabad in the final over.
Opting to bat first, Islamabad made 168-3 as Babar Azam scored a 50-ball 59 and skipper Imad Wasim provided the impetus at the end with 38 off 19 balls.
However, Lahore chased down the target with one ball to spare thanks largely to the superb start afforded to them by man of the match Ahmed Shehzad’s 23-ball 48.
“The pitches here are very good, and scores are being made every match,” said Shehzad. “I hope to see same pitches throughout the tournament.”
Imad was left to rue the chances his side dropped. “We were winning but poor fielding cost us the match . We have to avoid these mistakes in upcoming matches,” he said.
on wednesday
Larkana v Quetta
AJK v Lahore Blues
FATA v Karachi Blues
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2015.
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