Cricket: Hameed’s ton destroys Quetta

Discarded opener leads Abbottabad to 72-run win in T20 Cup.

Discarded batsman Yasir Hameed struck a whirlwind century as Abbottabad Falcons demolished Quetta Bears by 72 runs in the opening match of the Faysal Bank T20 Cup.

Hameed hit an unbeaten 101 off just 65 deliveries to lead his side to an imposing 190 for two off 20 overs before Junaid Khan and Khalid Usman shared five wickets between them to restrict Quetta to 118 for eight.

The right-hander added 116 with Adnan Raees in an unbroken third-wicket partnership with the latter not out on 51. Quetta, who were off to a slow start, were never in the hunt and lost six wickets for 14 runs in the last four overs.

Lions down Hawks

Ahmed Shehzad and Kamran Akmal gave the selectors a lot to think about as the pair added 116 for the opening wicket and led Lahore Lions to a competitive 194-run total before the team bowled out Hyderabad Hawks for a meagre 112 in the other T20 Cup match.

Shehzad made 72 off 50 deliveries and Kamran hit a 41-ball 62 before Umar Akmal’s cameo put Lahore in the driving seat.

Raza Ali Dar took two wickets as Hyderabad never got going.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 26^th,  2011.