Cricket: Hyderabad, Quetta out of T20 Cup

Back-to-back losses seals sides’ fate but Karachi Zebras fight on.

KARACHI:

Just five days after the Twenty20 Cup was shifted to Karachi, neighbours Hyderabad Hawks became the first team to be sent packing courtesy back-to-back losses.

The Hawks were thrashed by 82 runs in the opening-day mauling at the hands of defending champions Lahore Lions. Yesterday, restricted to 96 off their quota by five-time winners Sialkot Stalions, the Hawks were thrashed by nine wickets to seal their exit.

Left-arm medium-pacer Sarfraz Ahmed started the rot early, sending three Hyderabad batsmen back with just 12 on the board. The batting side failed to recover from the early damage and failed to reach three figures. Raza Hasan was the other performer for Sialkot, grabbing three for 12 off his quota. In reply, captain Shoaib Malik, opening the innings, scored 50 off 52 balls as his side eased past the target without much fuss as they opted for composure rather than aggression.

Zebras outrun the Bears

Meanwhile, Karachi Zebras, who lost a last-ball thriller to Lahore Eagles on the opening day, beat minnows Quetta Bears by 44 runs to seal the tourist’s exit from the tournament.

Zebras opted to bat first and posted a healthy 172 for five with opener Khurram Manzoor top-scoring. Quetta threatened briefly but captain Danish Kaneria picked up three wickets for 23 runs to ensure his side stays in contention for a semi-final spot.

Earlier, Manzoor scored a 52-ball 62 with six fours and a six. Anwar Ali, promoted up the order, smashed a quickfire 32 to entertain the handful of supporters as the Zebras took early grip of a must-win encounter.

Arun Lal picked up three wickets but was carted for 53 runs off his quota as Quetta look for a consolation win against Lahore Eagles today.

Eagles edge past Zebras

Meanwhile, in the last match of the opening day, Lahore Eagles beat Karachi Zebras by two runs following a surprisingly laidback approach by Test discards Faisal Iqbal and Hasan Raza.

Eagles posted an under-par 143 off their quota. Openers Imran Farhat and Taufeeq Umar put on 43 in under five overs, thrashing the bowlers to all corners. The fall of the first wicket, however, slowed things down considerably and Eagles, despite a late brief flourish by Junaid Zia, were unable to pass the 150-mark.

Zebras did lose two early wickets but Iqbal and Raza put on 95 in almost 14 overs, opting to rotate the strike instead of going for bit hits. However, both were dismissed in the space of three deliveries and Kaneria’s decision to promote himself up the order left Karachi two runs short in the end.

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