Faysal Bank T20 Cup: Ibexes, Bears register shock victories

Matches continue to be cut short as rain disrupts play.

KARACHI:

Dera Murad Jamali Ibexes stunned Abbottabad Falcons with an 11-run win in a five-over affair in their Faysal Bank T20 Tournament match on Friday.

The match was cut-short due to unplayable conditions, courtesy of rain in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Batting first, Ibexes managed 35 for five in their five overs, with Fazale Rabi and Yasir Shah picking up two wickets apiece while Junaid Khan bagged one scalp.

In reply, Falcons – featuring by the likes of Yasir Hameed, Younus Khan, Adnan Raees – failed to deliver and were restricted to 24 for seven in their quota. Kamran Sajid and Shabbir Ali took two wickets apiece.

Ibexes, who featured several guest players in their line-up, were delighted with the victory.

“It’s a moment of pride for the Ibexes,” said man-of-the-match Sajid. “We’ll try to use this win as a launch pad to achieve similar results in
the event.”

In another upset, Quetta Bears shocked Hyderabad Hawks in a 16-over clash, winning by five wickets thanks to Nazar Hussain and Ghulam Mohammad who claimed three wickets each.

Hawks were bowled out for 99 in 15.4 overs, with Azeem Ghumman scoring 27 while Mir Ali chipped in with 18. In reply, Bismillah Khan starred with a 41-ball 51 as he hit a six and five boundaries to propel the Bears to 100 for five with a ball to spare.

Zebras win one-run thriller

Karachi Zebras edged-out new outfit Fata Cheetahs by a single-run.

Set a target of 98, the Cheetahs fell just short in a 14-over match, getting all out on 96. Khurshid Shah top-scored with 38 while Tabish Khan, Shahzaib Ahmed and Akbarur Rehman grabbed two wickets apiece.

Earlier, the Zebras had posted 97 for five in their allotted overs as Hasan Raza struck 45 while Faisal Iqbal chipped in with 20.

In other matches, Sialkot Stallions beat Larkana Bulls by 97 runs; Umar Gul bagged three wickets to inspire Islamabad Leopards to a 17-run win over Lahore Eagles.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8^th, 2014.

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