A concentrated batting performance from the Peshawar Panthers enabled them to post a sizeable total which their bowlers went on to defend successfully against the Hyderabad Hawks, resulting in a comfortable 44-run win for the team in their Group B match during the ongoing Faysal Bank T-20 Cup, played at the Bagh-e-Jinnah in Lahore today on December 4.
The Panthers chose to bat after winning the toss and proceeded to put forth a solid display. Opener Israrullah departed on duck in the very first over, run out by Azeem Ghumman, but Iftikhar Ahmed (27) and Nawaz Ahmed (who top-scored for the team with 53) joined forces for a 74-run partnership for the second wicket.
The stand was cut short by Iftikhar Ahmed’s dismissal in the 9th over, stumped by wicketkeeper Shahzad Haider off Rizwan Ahmed, followed three over later by Nawaz Ahmed, trapped lbw by Rehan Nizamuddin. By this point, the Panthers were at 104 for 3. Skipper Akbar Badshah drove the remainder of the innings with his unbeaten 39, and teamed up with Shoaib Khan (30) for a 33-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Shoaib Khan was ultimately dismissed, run out by Sharjeel Khan in the 17th over, but Badshah went on to team up with Zohaib Khan (14) for a 39-run stand.
Their combined efforts saw the team up to 176, after which Zohaib Khan was sent packing by Kashif Bhatti in the final over. Some quick contributions, from Badshah, and wicketkeeper Gauhar Ali (5*), got the Peshawar Panthers up to a total of 185 by the end of 20 overs, at the expense of 5 wickets.
The team’s bowling attack proved as effective as their batting, with all 5 bowlers claiming at least one wicket each, while Azizullah (4-0-29-3), Badshah (4-0-36-2), and Zohaib Khan (4-0-23-2) all registered notable performances.
Coming in at number 8, Kashif Bhatti top-scored for the Hawks with a dismal 25, and Aqeel Anjum (22) was the only other batsman who managed to pass the 20-run mark. The rest registered forgettable performances, and by the end of 20 overs, the Hawks were all out, with the Panthers going on to secure a 44-run victory.
Scores: Peshawar Panthers won by 44 runs. Peshawar Panthers 185/5 (20/20 ov), Hyderabad Hawks 141 (20.0/20 ov)
Lions demolish Leopards by 6 wickets: Three-wicket hauls from Wahab Riaz and Aizaz Cheema kept the Islamabad Leopards down to a low total, which the Lahore Lions then went on to chase down successfully, securing a 6-wicket victory in their Group A match during the ongoing Faysal Bank T-20 Cup, played today on December 4 at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground.
The Leopards won the toss and decided to bat first, but the Lions did not let them rest easy. Wahab Riaz (4-0-17-3) and Aizaz Cheema (4-0-16-3) led their team’s attack, and were supported by Adnan Rasool (4-0-16-2).
The Leopards, in turn, fared poorly. A faltering 20 from Imad Wasim was the team’s highest score, and the rest of the batsmen failed to pass the 20-run mark. Opening for the team, wicketkeeper batsman Naeem Anjum was bowled by Cheema in the very first over after a mere 2-run contribution, and Shan Masood (9) followed suit in the 5th over, dismissed by the same bowler.
Opener Sajid Ali stuck it out at the crease long enough to reach double figures, but was cut off at 11 – Wahab Riaz dismissed both Sajid Ali, and Moed Ahmed (0) in the 6th over, leaving the Leopards at 30 for 4.
Imad Wasim’s (20) own performance was far from remarkable, and his teammates proved equally mediocre. Zohaib Ahmed (15) managed to join him for a 26-run 5th-wicket stand – the highest on their side – but Zohaib Ahmed was soon dislodged by Adnan Rasool, followed swiftly by Imad Wasim’s dismissal by the same bowler, 4 overs later. Faizan Riaz (18) and skipper Umar Gul (13) failed to offer the team any respite, and both were sent packing swiftly, the former by Aizaz Cheema, and the latter trapped lbw by Wahab Riaz.
By the end of 20 overs, with Sarmad Bhatti (3*) and Hamza Nadeem (2*) at the crease, the team managed to post a total of 104 at the expense of 8 wickets.
The Lions’ innings hinged entirely on the performance of Ahmed Shehzad (56), who single-handedly completed more than half the chase. Imam-ul-Haq (14) and Sohail Ahmed (16*) were the only other batsmen who succeeded in reaching double figures, but their contributions proved sufficient, and despite Zohaib Ahmed’s (2.5-1-8-2) efforts to defend his team’s low total, the Lions managed to reach 105 comfortably, with 6 wickets and 31 balls remaining.
Scores: Lahore Lions won by 6 wickets (with 31 balls remaining). Islamabad Leopards 104 8 wickets; 20 overs. Lahore Lions 105 4 wickets; 14.5 overs.
In the other matches of the day, Abbottabad Falcons won by 7 runs. Abbottabad Falcons 106/8 (20/20 ov), Multan Tigers 99/9 (20.0/20 ov), Faisalabad Wolves won by 17 runs. Faisalabad Wolves 148/8 (20/20 ov), Rawalpindi Rams 131 (18.5/20 ov), Karachi Zebras won by 7 wickets (with 14 balls remaining). Quetts 125 9 wickets; 20 overs, Karachi Zebra 126 3 wickets; 17.4 overs. Karachi Dolphins won by 3 wickets (with 8 balls remaining). Lahore Eagles 113/8 (20/20 ov), Karachi Dolphins 115/7 (18.4/20 ov).
