Former captain Shoaib Malik showed character while playing a captain’ innings to steer Sialkot Stallions to the final of the Faysal Bank T20 Cup with a six wickets win here at National Stadium on Saturday.
Requiring 167 scored by Lahore Eagles to overhaul, Malik single-handedly scripted the win with his unbeaten 88 runs innings in Stallions 171 runs for four in 18.5 overs.
Having a bumpy start with Imran Nazir and Shakeel Ahmed back in the pavilion for just four and two runs respectively, Shahid Yousuf and Malik lifted the score from nine for two to 136 for three. And when Shahid Yousuf 49 left the crease after being bowled by Junaid Zia, the script of win was written and it were Naved-ul-Hasan (6) and Mailk who completed the score.
Malik in his 44 balls innings hit nine boundaries and three sixes while the Stallions got 18 extras to enjoy their ride to win.
Earlier, Lahore Eagles openers Imran Farhat and Taufeeq Umer played everyone wondered that there would be a big total on board. The two went on to score 86 runs for the opening wicket with Farhat making 73 and Umar getting 33 but their later order did not played fruitful innings and were bundled out for 167 in 19.3 overs. They were the main victims of Malik and Naved who shared two wickets each while Raza Hasan and Abdur Rehman got one wicket apiece.
Lahore Eagles vs Sialkot Stallions:
Lahore Eagles 167-10 in 19.3 overs (Imran Farhat 73, Taufeeq Umar 33, Naved-ul-Hasan 2-23, Shoaib Malik 2-30). Sialkot Stallions 171-4 in 18.5 overs (Shoaib Malik 88*, Shahid Yousuf 49, Junaid Zia 3-23, Mustafa Iqbal 1-33). Toss: Lahore Eagles, who chose to bat. Result: Sialkot Stallions won by 6 wickets. Player of the match: Shoaib Malik (Sialkot Stallions).
