ISLAMABAD: Kamran Akmal (65) continued his exploits taking Lahore Whites to the top of table in the National T20 Cricket Championship following convincing win over hapless Rawalpindi at the Pindi Stadium Sunday. Kamran’s powerful innings saw Lahore Whites hit up 178 for 7 with Rawalpindi failing to live up to the expectations yet again reaching 150 for 8 in the allotted overs.Kamran who last year turned out to be the highest run getter in Pakistan first class season, smashed seven fours and two sixes to go on run rampage from the very beginning. Together with Sami Aslam (27) he scored 80 runs for the second wicket, helping Lahore Whites take firm grip on the match right from the start. Umar Akmal (33) also added some quick runs as Lahore piled up a challenging total. Rawalpindi stayed in hunt once Umar Amin (35) lost his wicket at 53. It was a total struggle from there on for the hosts which never looked threatening in the tournament despite having some of the best set of players. Though Mohammad Nawaz (27 not out) and Zain Abbas (26) played well they never looked in a position to keep up the pace with the required run rate. The dejected Rawalpindi coach Sabi Azhar yet again failed to make the best use of opportunity as his team sits at the bottom of table along with Peshawar and FATA.Lahore Whites skippered by Salman Butt now breaks clear with seven points from five outing and look set to make it to the semis. In Sunday’s other match, a late charge by Anwar Ali (41 not out) helped Karachi Whites prevail over Peshawar by four wickets. Set to score 156 runs for victory, Karachi were left struggling at 94 for 5 when together with Sarfraz Ahmad (28), Anwar Ali raised 61 for the sixth wicket to take Karachi Whites home. Earlier, Peshawar made mess of Rifatullah Mohmand (50) and Israrullah’s (50) 101 blazing opening wicket stand at a rapid run rate of ten runs per over.Scores: Lahore Whites 178-7 in 20 overs (Kamran Akmal 65,Umar Akmal 33, Sami Aslam 27, Sohail Tanveer 2-30, Muhammad Nawaz 2-31). Rawalpindi Region 150-8 in 20 overs: (Umar Amin 35, Muhammad Nawaz 27 not out, Zain Abbas 26, Ahmed Iftikhar 24, Bilal Asif 2-20, Umaid Asif 2-37).
