Discarded wicket-keeper batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed has got off to a fine start in Twenty20 tournament, helping his team to two wins out of two thus far. PHOTO: EXPRESS/SHAFIQ MALIK
Set a competitive total of 152, PIA struggled to get going initially. However, Sarfaraz kicked off things for his team by smashing three boundaries in the last over of power play bowled by talented left-arm spinner Raza Hasan.
He was involved in an 88-run second-wicket stand with Fahad Iqbal, who scored 27 off 25 with a six and a boundary. PIA were cruising until Sarfaraz got out after making a fine 59 off 47 balls laced with a six and seven strikes to the fence.
With run-a-ball needed, in came Shoaib Malik. The all-rounder played out a maiden over delivered by Ahmed Jamal and continued with his circumspect approach for a few overs.
At one stage, 28 were needed off 18 balls and then 11 runs were needed of the last over. The experience of Faisal Iqbal and Malik took PIA home as they made 154 for four with a ball to spare after a mid-innings scare.
Malik struck a winning six when four were needed off two to end with 24 runs while Faisal scored a crucial 10 in the context of the match.
Hammad Azam took two wickets as NBP skipper Kamran Akmal astonishingly did not ask leggie Usman Qadir to bowl even a single over.
Earlier, NBP had amassed 151 for five in their 20 overs courtesy a 95-run third-wicket stand between Fawad Alam and Aqeel Anjum. Alam remained unbeaten on 64 off 43 with a maximum and six boundaries while Anjum made a 49-ball 60 studded with a six and seven boundaries. Kamran Sajid got two scalps.
“I’m pleased with my show but still a bit disappointed as I didn’t finish off the match,” man of the match Sarfaraz told The Express Tribune.
“It would’ve been icing on the cake had I remained till the end because a good knock gets better with a finish.”
SNGPL pummel PQA by 10 wickets
In another match, Samiullah Niazi took three wickets as SNGPL thrashed PQA by 10 wickets at the LCCA Ground.
Asked to bat first, PQA failed to withstand the challenge in testing conditions as they got rolled over for 86 in 18.2 overs. Mohammad Waqas scored 31 while Imran Ali and Imran Khalid got two wickets apiece.
In reply, SNGPL raced to 87 for no loss in 12.1 overs, Mohammad Rizwan scored 41 while Taufeeq Umar made 39.
Meanwhile, Yasir Arafat and Ali Khan took two wickets each as KRL defeated UBL six wickets.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 29th, 2013.
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