Set a target of 270, PIA went past the finish line with just five balls to spare courtesy a whirlwind unbeaten 56 off 28 balls by Iqbal, who struck two sixes and five fours.
Malik made a 75-ball 58, while all-rounder Anwar Ali hit an impressive 32 off 27.
Earlier, SBP were indebted to Mohtashim Ali’s 88 off 111 deliveries that enabled them to set a competitive total. Najaf Shah bagged three scalps and Malik chipped in with two.
Fahad bags seven in HBL’s triumph
HBL’s seamer Fahad Masood wrecked havoc, bagging a seven-wicket haul, while Danish Kaneria took two wickets to bowl their side to an emphatic eight-wicket victory against Wapda at the LCCA Ground in Lahore.
Opting to bat first, the call went horribly wrong for Wapda as they were bundled out for 60 inside 25 overs. In reply HBL overhauled the target in just 8.2 overs.
In another match, NBP’s duo speedster Mohammad Talha claimed five wickets and opener Khurram Manzoor scored 89 runs to steer their side to a 99-run victory against ZTBL at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.
In Group B matches, Sialkot Stallions defeated Faisalabad Wolves by seven wickets, while Rawalpindi won by 77 runs on the Duckworth/Lewis method against Karachi Dolphins.
Batting first, Dolphins posted 269 for seven courtesy an unbeaten 140 off 156 balls by Khalid Latif, who struck four sixes and 11 boundaries.
In reply, Rams were 196 for two after 28 overs when play was stopped due to bad light. Naved Malik was unbeaten on 58.
Meanwhile, Islamabad Leopards won by 164 runs against Abbottabad Falcons with Afaq Rahim’s 129-run helping the hosts’ cause at the Diamond Ground.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 13th, 2012.
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