Shahzaib’s knock blows away Faisalabad

Karachi, Lahore record comfortable wins in Super Eight T20 Cup.

KARACHI:

Karachi Dolphins did their chances of booking a berth in the semi-finals no harm by recording a crushing victory against Faislabad Wolves defeating them by 124 runs in the Faysal Bank Super Eight T20 Cup.

Chasing a mammoth 232 for a win, Faisalabad never looked like achieving the target on the back of some solid bowling by the Karachi bowlers, who ran through the hosts’ line-up for a paltry 107. Fast-bowler Sohail Khan was the pick of the bowlers with three for 32.

But the foundation for the win was laid by a 90-run opening stand between Shahzaib Hasan and Asad Shafiq who entertained the crowd with some scintillating batting. Hasan hit a superb 28-ball 69 containing eight boundaries.

Khurram Shehzad picked up two wickets but gave away 21 runs in his two overs.

Lahore thrash Islamabad

Lahore Lions also moved closer to a semi-final spot beating Islamabad Leopards by 43 runs in an earlier match.

Chasing 149, Islamabad got off to a terrible start and never recovered from the loss of early wickets. Shan Masood fought hard with 32, but none of the other batsmen stood up to some tight bowling. Imran Ali and Saad Nasim again starred for the second match running, with Ali picking up a three-wicket haul and Nasim supporting him with two scalps.

Earlier, Lahore’s openers fell cheaply but the line-up recovered thanks to a third-wicket stand of 47 between Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Yousuf. Akmal was the top-scorer with 44.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 29^th, 2011.