Karachi Whitesr ecord first win in National Twenty20 Cup

KARACHI: Test cricketer Asad Shafiq blasted spectacular 72 while Anwar Ali claimed four wickets to enable Karachi Whites to record their first win from four games as they overwhelmed Rawalpindi by 14 runs in their day-night match of the National T20 Cup at the Pindi Stadium, Rawalpindi, on Friday.

Asad batted with immense responsibility to take Karachi Whites to a fighting total of 178-6 in the allotted 20 overs after they were invited to bat first.International all-rounder Anwar Ali captured 4-30 in four overs to enable Karachi Whites to restrict Rawalpindi to 164-9.

After the top order failed to back Asad, skipper Sarfraz Ahmed (30*) shared a 52-run partnership for the fifth wicket with him to consolidate the innings. Asad, who was removed by Sohail Tanvir, struck nine fours and one six from 48 balls. Anwar Ali (15) and Sarfraz used long handle to accelerate the scoring. Anwar hammered two sixes from eight balls. Sarfraz smacked three fours and one six from 20 balls.

Middle order batsmen Shahid Yousuf (21) and Akbar-ur-Rehman (15) also made some contributions. Shahid hit one four and one six from 20 balls, while Akbar smashed two fours from 11 deliveries.Mohammad Irfan Junior was the pick of the bowlers with 2-43 in four overs.

Sohail Tanvir (1-35), Mohammad Abbas (1-34) and leggie Shadab Khan (1-30) were the other successful bowlers.In response, Rawalpindi kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Rawalpindi lost Fawad Alam (20), Rameez Aziz (0) and Shadab Khan (0) inside four deliveries that put Karachi Whites in a commanding position.

Skipper Umar Amin scored 28 off 14 balls with three fours and two sixes. Test cricketer Iftikhar Ahmed made 24-ball 25 with one six and one four. Sohail Tanvir hit three sixes in his 12-ball 24. Stumper Umair Masood cracked 17-ball 24 with two fours and one six. Mohammad Irfan Junior belted unbeaten 11-ball 19 with two fours and one six. Anwar Ali was ably supported by left-arm pacer Rumman Raees (2-25) and left-arm spinner Azam Hussain (2-33).

Asad Shafiq was declared man of the match.

Karachi Whites and Rawalpindi have three points each now.

Earlier in the day, Lahore Whites recorded their second win from four matches as they overwhelmed FATA by 41 runs. Skipper Salman Butt (74*) and Kamran Akmal (63) shared 94 off 47 balls for the opening stand to help Lahore Whites post 213-4, the highest total in this event so far. Kamran, who seemed in terrific form, smashed ten fours and two glorious sixes in his 29-ball blitz. Salman then shared 76 off 41 balls for the fourth wicket with Aamer Yamin, who smacked a rapid 26-ball 52, hitting seven fours and two sixes.

Sohail Akhtar got 2-38 in four overs, while Hammad Azam and spinner Usama Mir claimed one wicket each.

FATA were bowled out for 172 in 18.3 overs.

Skipper Hammad Azam scored 28-ball 50 with four fours and three sixes. Mukhtar Ahmed belted 16-ball 30, striking three fours and two sixes. Sohail Akhtar made 11-ball 18 with four fours. Khushdil Shah (16) hammered two sixes from 11 deliveries. Wahab Riaz bowled well, taking 3-15 in 3.3 overs. Pacer Umaid Asif (2-27) and spinner Bilal Asif (2-15) kept the tribesmen under pressure through intelligent bowling.

Kamran Akmal was adjudged man of the match.

On Saturday (today), Lahore Blues face Peshawar and Faisalabad meet Islamabad.