KARACHI: Skipper Shoaib Malik led from the front in an inspiring all-round show to help Sialkot Stallions register an easy 72-run win over Quetta Bears in their Faysal Bank National Twenty20 Cup match at the LCCA Ground yesterday.
Malik smashed a 33-ball-51 to propel Stallions to a challenging total of 149 for seven. The allrounder also shone with the ball, producing sterling figures of four for 13 as Stallions dismissed their opponents for just 77 runs in 17.5 overs to secure a commanding win.
At the Gadaffi Stadium, Shahid Afridi-led Karachi Dolphins fell short by five runs against Rawalpindi Rams despite fighting knocks from Fawad Alam and Tanvir Ahmed.
Rams amassed a total of 188 for five, thanks to an unbeaten half-century from Umar Amin, who blasted 52 off 31 with four boundaries and three sixes. Skipper Afridi had a tough day with the ball, giving away 49 runs in four overs and claiming one wicket only.
In reply, Alam (40*)and Tanvir (33) put up a spirited fight back for Dolphins but failed to take their side home, falling short by only five runs.
Lahore Lions crush Falcons
Meanwhile, star-studded Lahore Lions notched up their second consecutive win of the tournament, overwhelming Abbottabad Falcons by 30 runs at Bagh-e-Jinnah.
Kamran Akmal, who scored a quick-fire 59, was the star as his side scored 186 for four, aided by defiant knocks from Nasir Jamshed (39) and Ahmed Shahzad (28).
Pakistan T20 captain Mohammad Hafeez starred with the ball for Lions, snapping up four wickets for 25 runs as Falcons could only manage 156 for six in the allotted overs.
In contrast, Lahore Eagles failed to carry on their winning momentum as they lost to Faisalabad Wolves by five wickets in their second match.
After being put into bat first, Eagles suffered a batting collapse and were bundled out for only 103 in 19.4 overs. Asad Ali took three while Saeed Ajmal, Khurram Shahzad and Imran Khalid chipped in with a brace each. Wolves achieved the target in 19.1 overs with top-performer Farrukh Shehzad scoring 47.
Bahawalpur’s fairytale continues
Bahawalpur Stags’ dream start to the campaign continued as the debutants registered their second win on the trot, overpowering Peshawar Panthers by 29 runs.
After being bowled out in 19 overs for 134, Stags fought back and cleaned up the Panthers line-up for just 105 runs. Kashif Siddiqui had sparkling figures of three for 11 while Imranullah Aslam claimed two scalps.
Elsewhere, Karachi Zebras opened their account with a narrow four-run win against Islamabad Leopards. After scoring just 121, Zebras put up a disciplined bowling performance and restricted their opponents to 117 for nine to pen their first win in the tournament.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 3rd, 2012.
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