Dolphins keep semi-final hopes alive

Edge past Eagles in nervy encounter under lights.

KARACHI: Four-time finalists Karachi Dolphins survived a scare against Lahore Eagles but managed a nervy three-wicket win under lights to remain in contention for the semi-finals at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Chasing a meagre 113, Dolphins managed to self-destruct witht he victory in sight but successive sixes off the penultimate over by Anwar Ali took Karachi past the finish line with eight balls to spare. Anwar remained unbeaten on 14 off five balls while Shahzaib Hasan had earlier scored 30 and Shahid Afridi chipped in with 19 before being stumped. Raza Ali Dar bowled well to take three wickets.

Earlier, Dolphins’ spinner restricted Eagles to a below-par score. Atif Maqbool and Misbah Khan shared five wickets between them to lay the foundations of the win.

Lions remain unbeaten

Meanwhile, Lahore Lions, captained by Mohammad Hafeez, edged closer to sealing a place in the semi-finals by overcoming Islamabad Leopards by six wickets at the LCCA Ground in Lahore yesterday.

Batting first, Islamabad Leopards struggled to 104 for eight off their quota as Aizaz Cheema and Wahab Riaz bagged three wickets each and off-spinner Adnan Rasool chipped in with two. In reply, Ahmed Shehzad hammered 56 off 45 balls, laced with a six and seven fours, to propel Lions past the finish line with over five overs to spare.

Lions have now won all four matches and top Group A with eight points.



There was thrilling action on day four of the T20 cup as the tournament nears the semi-final stage. PHOTO: SHAFIQ MALIK/EXPRESS 

In the other match of the group, Ahmed Jamal’s four-wicket haul and a stunning catch from Yasir Shah gave Abottabad Falcons a narrow seven-run against Multan Tigers in a low-scoring affair.

Set a target of 107, Tigers were restricted to 99 for nine. Ahmed Jamal struck twice in the fourth over before Shah then took a blinder in the next over at mid-off to dismiss the in-form Shoaib Maqsood off Khalid Usman, plucking the catch mid-air with his weaker left hand.

Earlier, Falcons scored 106 for eight as Younus Khan played a 35-run knock after. Mohammad Irfan bowled impressively to take three wickets while Zulfiqar Babar and Kashif Naved claimed two scalps each.

Zebras win but Faisal out of the tournament

Meanwhile, spinners Faraz Ahmed Khan and Haris Ayaz picked up three wickets each to guide Karachi Zebras to a seven-wicket win victory against Quetta Bears. Bears put up 125 for nine batting first courtesy Mohibullah’s 44 off 58 balls. In reply, Fahad Iqbal (53*) scored his second half-century of the tournament as Zebras managed 126 for three in 17.2 overs. Faisal Iqbal made a 22-ball 27 but had to retire-hurt due to a groin injury.



There was thrilling action on day four of the T20 cup as the tournament nears the semi-final stage. PHOTO: SHAFIQ MALIK/EXPRESS 

“Faisal felt a strain during batting and it has been discovered that he has suffered a groin injury,” Zebras coach Azam Khan told The Express Tribune. “He’ll be returning to Karachi as he has been told to rest for at least six to eight days and we aren’t seeking any replacements.”

In Group B, Peshawar Panthers overwhelmed Hyderabad Hawks by 44 runs as Azizullah starred with the ball taking three wickets while Nawaz Ahmed made 53 for the winners. In another match, Faisalabad Wolves had the measure of the Rawalpindi Rams, defeating them by 17 runs as Asad Ali took three wickets while magician Saeed Ajmal got two scalps.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 5^th, 2012.