ISLAMABAD: Kamran Akmal (150 not out) set the Pindi Stadium ablaze with exhibition of powerful hitting during Lahore Whites emphatic 109 runs win against Islamabad Friday in the National T20 at the Pindi Stadium. The 10th highest ever innings in recognized T20 cricket saw Lahore Whites reach 209 for no loss with Islamabad getting bowled out for just 100 in reply. Kamran, who also returned as highest run getter in the on-going National T20 smashed record 12 sixes and 14 fours during his record breaking 71-ball innings. He dominated depleted Islamabad bowling right from the world go and went on to finish in style. Kamran’s aggressive display enthralled the sizeable crowd and his aggressive approach was a treat to watch. Salman Butt (55 not out) though played well, turned out to be a spectator at the other end as Kamran’s shots were flying all over the stadium. Islamabad batsmen were unable to respond with the same tempo. Bilal Asif (3-34) and Wahab Riaz (2-7) ran through their innings in less than 19 overs. Lahore Whites finished round robin league proceedings on top of the table followed by their sister team Lahore Blues. Scores: Lahore Region Whites 209-0 in 20 overs: (Kamran Akmal 150 not out, Salman Butt 55 not out)Islamabad Region 100 in 18.4 overs: (Raza Hassan 19, Shan Masood 17, Bilal Asif 3-34, Wahab Riaz 2-7, Amir Yamin 1-9, Ehsan Adil 1-16) Result: Lahore Region Whites won by 109 runs. Man of the match: Kamran Akmal (Lahore Region Whites). Meanwhile, Hamad Azam (37 not out) and Mukhtar Ahad (46) powered Fata into the semi-finals hitting the winning target within the 17th over and thus showing Karachi Whites door on better run rate. Faisalabad hit up 157 for 5 in allotted 20 overs as Fata were set to score the target within 17 overs to go ahead of Karachi Whites on run rate for a place in the semis. Thanks to brilliant Hammad innings Fata reached the target in 16.4 overs to show Karachi the door. Hammad smashed four sixes and a four late in the innings to enable Fata reach the target in style. Asif Afridi (34) also played well and put on 70 runs with Hammad for 6th wicket that took Fata into semis. Earlier, Asif Ali (52 not out) played well as Faisalabad reached 157 for 5. Ziaul Haq (2-24) bowled well for Fata. Scores: Faisalabad 157-5 in 20 overs: (Asif Ali 52 not out, Ali Waqas 40, Sahibzada Farhan 23, Imran Khalid 18 not out, Zia-ul-Haq 2-24, Muhammad Irfan 1-15, Sameen Gul 1-44) Fata 158 for 6 in 16.4 overs: (Mukhtar Ahmed 46, Hammad Azam 37 not out, Asif Afridi 34, Yasir Shah 3-23, Saeed Ajmal 2-27, Asad Ali 1-26) Result: Fata won by 4 wickets. Man of the match: Hammad Azam (Fata Region).
