Babar does the trick as Multan outclass Karachi

Sialkot lose plot against Lahore in Super Eight T20.

KARACHI:

Multan Tigers put up a fine all-round performance against a strong Karachi Dolphins outfit, beating them by 15 runs in the Faysal Bank Super Eight T20 tournament.

The highlight of the Tigers’ bowling was a hat-trick by left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar, who ended up with figures of four for 18, as he tarnished Karachi’s lower-order.

Karachi, at one stage, were comfortably placed at 96 for one, courtesy a 75-run second-wicket stand between Khalid Latif and Ramiz Raja. Latif top-scored with 51 while Raja made 40. However, their departure saw the Dolphins losing wickets at regular intervals, despite a small cameo by Fawad Alam who made a quickfire 19.

Earlier, Multan had put up a fighting show, reaching 161 for six, thanks to a fine knock by Zain Abbas who made a 65-ball 85. Sohail Khan, Haaris Ayaz and captain Mohammad Sami  picked up two wickets apiece.

Sialkot suffer heavy defeat

Earlier, a star-studded Lahore Lions team triumphed over Sialkot Stallions by 45 runs. Chasing a mammoth 219 for victory, Sialkot got off to a rollicking start courtesy a 66-run opening stand between Imran Nazir and Shahid Yousuf (18).

Nazir’s blinding knock of 44 included five mammoth sixes. However, his departure was followed by a dramatic batting collapse triggered by young leg-spinner Saad Nasim, who ended up with figures of three for 23. Nasim’s fine show was complemented by Imran Ali’s efforts, who also picked up a three-wicket haul.

A late effort by Ali Khan, who hit a 37-ball 67, saw Sialkot providing some resistance, but his innings was always going to be in vain in the face of the imposing target.

Earlier, after electing to bat first, Lahore were off to a flier courtesy Nasir Jamshed (55) and Ahmed Shehzad’s 128-run opening stand that set the tone for the rest of the match. Shehzad looked in fine touch, top-scoring with 74.

Umaid Asif picked up three wickets as the rest of the attack was thrashed all over the park.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 27^th, 2011.