Super 8 T20: Lahore make it to final where Sialkot await

Lahore Lions’ slow bowlers restrict the Rawalpindi Rams to just 100-8 in their 20 overs

FAISALABAD:

Lahore Lions’ slow bowlers took full advantage of a pitch conducive to spin to restrict the Rawalpindi Rams to just 100-8 in their 20 overs, effectively ending the second Super 8 T20 semi-final halfway through the match, to book their place in the final alongside Sialkot Stallions.

The Rawalpindi side, who won the toss and decided to bat first, got off to an inauspicious start as Khurram Shehzad was run out in the first over, after a mix-up between the two batsmen saw both at the same end.

It didn't get any better as wickets tumbled on a regular basis. Next to go was Naved Malik in the third over, followed by Zahid Mansoor five balls later.

The powerplay finished with the Rams 28-3. From there on it was only a matter of keeping up the pressure, with the Rams’ batsmen providing little to no fight as the spinners tightened the noose around their collars.

All five Lions bowlers made impressive showing, with veteran Aizaz Cheema being the pick of the lot with figures of 2-21 in his four overs. Remarkably, Mustafa Iqbal’s figures of 2-26 in his four overs made him the most expensive bowler as the other four went at less than a run-a-ball.

Needing to score 101 at just above five per over, it seemed merely a matter of when, rather than if, for the defending champions and favourites but it was not that simple.

Skipper Kamran Akmal’s dismissal on a golden duck provided a brief glimmer of hope for Sohail Tanvir and his men but it was quickly quashed by a 61-run partnership between Ahmed Shehzad — who anchored the innings with a 57-ball 58 — and Nasir Jamshed.

However, the Rams’ bowlers refused to lie down unlike their batsmen and once again fought back. Three wickets in 12 balls and some superb fast bowling from Muhammad Amir and Hammad Azam in the middle, made it seem that Lahore may yet make a meal of it.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2015