Dolphins humble Hawks by nine wickets

Rams down Zebras in one-over eliminator after draw.

KARACHI: Hot favourites Karachi Dolphins registered a thumping nine-wicket win over the Hyderabad Hawks on Saturday in what was their third consecutive triumph in the 2014 Haier T20 Cup, which is taking place in Karachi’s National Stadium.

Hawks, who are already out of the race for the semi-final spot, stuttered to a below-par 122 run total. Mir Ali was the top scorer with 27 runs for Hawks, who were made to struggle against the potent Dolphins attack including the likes of Mohammad Sami, Anwar Ali and Shahid Afridi.

Anwar and left-arm pace bowler Abdul Ameer claimed two wickets each to help restrict Hawks.

In reply, Dolphins were well served by their opening batsman Rameez Raja Jr, who scored an unbeaten 70 off only 49 balls. His innings included 10 fours and a solitary six.

Asad Shafiq, who won the man-of-the-match award in the first two wins for his team in the tournament, continued his rich vein of form courtesy his unbeaten 38-run effort as the target was overhauled in the 17th over of the innings.

Meanwhile, former champions Rawalpindi Rams won their match against Karachi Zebras in a one-over eliminator after a draw.

Stallions make light work of Bears

With only one slot available for the semi-finals from each of the four pools, Sialkot Stallions, the most successful team in the history of the competition, set up a mouthwatering clash with Dolphins by outclassing Quetta Bears earlier in the day.

Batting first, Stallions scored 171 for the loss of four wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Haris Sohail scored 52 runs off 39 balls; his innings included five strikes to the fence and a six.

All-rounder Ali Khan, who had pulled his team out of the mire against Larkana Bulls on Friday, scored a 23-ball 44.

Bears were never in the running after losing some quick wickets in their pursuit of the steep target. Zubair Khan with 35 and Taimur Khan with 32 were the main run getters. Mukhtar Ahmed claimed three wickets to add to his 32-run contribution as an opener; his all-round effort won him the man-of-the-match award.



Bears had to endure a tough schedule in their last two games as they were asked to play the opening match of day four after losing heavily to the Dolphins in the last match of the day on Friday.

Captain Bismillah Khan was unhappy with the tough itinerary and claimed that his players were tired after the workload of playing two competitive games in less than 12 hours.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21^st, 2014.

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