Imran Nazir showed his prowess in the shortest format of the game when he steered Syed Paper Mills to a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Omar Associates in the 1st Cool and Cool Corporate Twenty20 Night Tournament at DHA Sports Club (Moin Khan Academy), here on Monday. Imran, who was a member of the Pakistan side that narrowly lost the ICC World Twenty20 2007 final to India in Johannesburg, slapped five fours and six sixes in a 46-ball 70 as Syed Paper Mills achieved the 141-run victory target by eight wickets with 20 deliveries to spare. Imran dominated both the first and second wicket partnerships. While Sharjeel Khan’s contribution in a first wicket stand of 30 was just four, the 86-run second stand with Salman Ali was spearheaded by Imran before Salman took control and finished with an unbeaten 40 off 33 balls. For Omar Associates, left-arm spinner Sultan Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers and finished with the figures of two for 11. Earlier, Shehzad Malik anchored Omar Associates to 140-8 after they had elected to bat first. Shehzad faced 47 balls and clubbed seven fours in a knock which was thoroughly enjoyed by about 2,500 spectators.
Summarised scores:
Omar Associates: 140-8 in 20 overs (Shehzad Malik 80, Extras 14, Faraz Ahmed 12, Nadeem Sarwar 11; Tanzeel Altaf 4-35, Sohail Khan 2-31)
Syed Paper Mills: 141-2 in 16.4 overs (Imran Nazir 70, Salman Ali 40, Abid Ali 11; Sultan Ahmed 2-11).