Sharoon’s spell powers Lions to crucial win

RAWALPINDI: Sharoon Siraj (3-19) bowled brilliant spell with Shahid Aziz successfully defended 16 runs in the last over to give Nurpur Lions crucial win against Lake City Panthers in the Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup match here at the Pindi Stadium on Thursday.

Panthers, set 161 to win, finished on 152-6 in their allotted overs with Danish Aziz scoring an unbeaten 38 off 27 balls with five boundaries. Opener Umar Siddiq scored a 28-ball 38, hitting one six and four boundaries.

Sajid Khan struck two sixes in his eight-ball 17 while Amad Butt scored an unbeaten 13-ball 16 but those were not enough. For Lions, spinner Sharoon Siraj bagged 3-19. The victory gives Nurpur Lions eight points from seven matches and a better net run-rate lifts them to second. UMT Markhors are on top of the table with 10 points while ABL Stallions are third with eight points. The defeat leaves Lake City Panthers on fourth with six points while Engro Dolphins are pointless with six defeats in as many matches.

Sent into bat, Lions had a solid start with Imam-ul-Haq and Hasan Nawaz putting 85 in 7.2 overs. Imam cracked eight boundaries and a six in his 36-ball 57 while Hasan’s 22-ball 41 were spiced with three sixes and four boundaries but once Nawaz fell to spinner Sajid Khan the innings fell apart.