Champions again: Sialkot clinch T20 Cup
Sialkot Stallions add a sixth title to their bag of National T20 Champions.
Sialkot Stallions added a sixth title to their bag when they defeated Rawalpindi Rams by 10 runs in the final of the Faysal Bank T20 Cup. Sunday night’s match was witnessed by thousands at the National Stadium, Karachi, including Sania Mirza, Indian tennis star and wife of Stallions captain Shoaib Malik.
Sialkot racked up 180 for six in their allotted overs before Rawalpindi were restricted to 170 for eight.
Deprived of international cricket, fans thronged the stadium and were repaid in kind by the players who ensured a run-fiesta. Also in attendance were the Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ijaz Butt and Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad.
Malik hit a 27-ball knock off 43 while Shahid Yousuf contributed 32 off just 19 deliveries to lead Sialkot to their competitive total before Naved Malik ensured Rawalpindi were in the hunt until his dismissal
in the 17th over after a well-made 67.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 3rd, 2011.