Ayub guides WAPDA to nine-wicket win

UBL’s semi-final hopes dashed due to inferior run-rate.

KARACHI:

Wapda captain Mohammad Ayub made a career-best of 62 runs to help his team to a nine-wicket win over UBL in their Advance Telecom Ramazan T20 Cup group match.

UBL, who were off to a terrific start in the tournament after beating the two big teams PIA and HBL, crashed out of the semi-final race after losses against SBP and Wapda. The loss brought their run-rate down to 0.145, and with just four points, they were placed next to HBL and SBP, who had run rates 0.610 and -0.294, respectively.

But HBL managed to secure a last-four berth along with table toppers PIA (five points).

Set a target of 140, Wapda were untroubled in their chase courtesy an excellent 110-run opening stand between Ayub, who hit a six and eight boundaries, and Shoaib Nasir, who remained unbeaten on 48 off 52. Wapda made 140 for one with nine balls to spare.

“We could’ve reached the semi-finals, but our match against PIA was washed out,” a Wapda player told The Express Tribune.



“It turned out to be crucial in the context of our group standing because had we won that match, we could have ended up with four points. In that case, all the teams could’ve had four points in the group. But luck wasn’t on our side.”

Earlier, Wapda opted to bowl first. Wapda’s decision backfired as UBL were going strong during the Powerplay. However, they failed to capitalise on a good start and finished with just 139 for eight in their 20 overs.

Asif Ali scored 40 off 30 with three sixes and two boundaries, while Khaqan Arsal scored a run-a-ball 27 with three strikes to the fence. Asif Ali claimed four wickets while Zulfiqar Babar took three scalps.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14^th, 2013.

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