National One-Day Cup: Stallions into semis with big win

Dolphins claim big victory to remain in contention.

KARACHI: Sialkot Stallions joined Karachi Zebras in the semifinals of the Faysal Bank One-day Cup after defeating Bahawalpur Stags by six wickets in their sixth round group A match at the Shaheed Mohtarma Benzair Bhutto International Stadium in Garhi Khuda Baksh yesterday.

Batting first, the Stags were bundled out for 162 in 39.1 overs. Nabeel Malik and Adeel Malik took three wickets apiece while Bilawal Bhatti chipped in with two scalps.

In reply, Stallions reached the target in 41.2 overs for the loss of just four wickets. Mohammad Ayub remained undefeated on 66 while Yasir Aziz made 51.

The victory gave the Stallions two precious points helping them end up with 10 points from six matches.

In another match, the Dolphins thrashed Quetta Bears by nine wickets as the spin duo of Atif Maqbool and Haris Ayaz claimed three wickets apiece to bowl the Bears out for 120.

Khalid Latif thumped 65 off 41 with eight boundaries to take the Dolphins home for the loss of one wicket. The Dolphins now have six points and need to beat the Tigers in their last match.

Hosts Tigers won by eight wickets against Lahore Eagles, thanks to an unbeaten 87 from Shoaib Maqsood.

In group B, the Zebras-Abbottabad Falcons and Islamabad Leopards-Peshawar Panthers matches were abandoned due to rain while Faislabad Wolves won by 47 runs against Rawalpindi Rams.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 16^th, 2013.