Lahore Blues, Karachi Whites, Abbottabad, Faisalabad move up

LAHORE: Victories were secured by Lahore Blues and Karachi Whites in Group B while Abbottabad and Faisalabad triumphed in Group C on the third day of the National T20 Cup on Sunday night.

At Faisalabad, Lahore Region Blues outplayed Bahawalpur Region by nine wickets. Lahore Blues chased down a modest target of 98 in just 9.4 overs, thanks to a fiery start from openers Imran Butt (48*) and Umar Siddiq (41) who put together a scintillating 72-run partnership. Player of the Match Qasim Akram (3-6 in 4 overs) and Mohammad Salman Mirza (3-18 in 3.2 overs) dismantled Bahawalpur’s batting line-up.

Brief scores: Bahawalpur 97 all out in 18.2 overs (Muhammad Imran 22; Qasim Akram 3-6, Mohammad Salman Mirza 3-18). Lahore Blues 98-1 in 9.4 overs (Imran Butt 48 not out, Umar Siddiq 41, Salahuddin 1-17). Player of the match: Qasim Akram (Lahore Blues).

Karachi Whites registered their second win, defeating Dera Murad Jamali by six wickets. Saqib Khan’s brilliant bowling display (3-23 in 4 overs) earned him the Player of the Match title, as DM Jamali were restricted to 132-7 in their 20 overs.

Karachi Whites chased down the target in 17.3 overs. Key contributions came from Khurram Manzoor (42) and Shan Masood (38) while debutant Haroon Arshad made 21 not out. Brief scores: DM Jamli 132-7 in 20 overs (Basit Ali 29, Dawood Khan 29; Saqib Khan 3-23). Karachi Whites 135-4, 17.3 overs (Khurram Manzoor 42, Shan Masood 38, Haroon Arshad 21 not out; Rasool Bakash 2-22).