Rafay powers Karachi Gymkhana Whites to big win

KARACHI: Left-arm spinner Rafay Safdar’s haul of six wickets powered Karachi Gymkhana Whites to a 53-run victory over Sojhula Cricket Club in their Group B encounter of the 31st Karachi Gymkhana Ramazan Festival Twenty20 here at the Karachi Gymkhana on Friday.

Rafay, declared Man of the Match, picked up six wickets for 18 runs off fours to send Sojhula CC crashing to 105 all out in 17.5 overs. Fellow left-arm spinner Ubaid Ibrahim (3-18) also bowled well to bring about a collapse after 27-run opening stand between Kashif Bhatti (15 off 12 balls) and Jahanzeb Sultan (13 off 12 balls).

Karachi Gymkhana Whites recovered to post a fighting total of 158 for five thanks to the 86-run fifth wicket stand between Ubaid Ibrahim, who remained undefeated on 45 off 28 balls and Shehzar Mohammad, who contributed 43 off 29 balls. They had come together at 68 for four after off-spinner Yousuf (3-18) had jolted the top order, partially undoing the early onslaught by opener Jaffer Qureshi (36 off 28 balls).