Royals, Hurricanes recover well

RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi Royals made a stunning comeback with two impressive victories on the second day of the SMB Trophy cricket as AMB Avengers continued their brilliant run by staying at the top of the leaderboard.

Royals were limping at the bottom of the table on the first day in the eight-team event, but now with four points they jumped to No 5.Favourites and defending champions Avengers are at the top with eight points from four victories after two more convincing wins on Friday at the Army Heritage Foundation Ground.

They are followed by Hyderabad Hurricanes, Taheri Tigers, Adam Alpines, Royals and Saleh Strikers, who all have four points each and are in contention for the semi-finals.Royals’ skipper Hussain Youshe Murad was the architect of six-wicket victory against Hyderabad Hurricanes when he blazed unbeaten 61 off 23 balls with seven fours and four sixes.

Hurricanes had posted a formidable total of 77-2 off their allotted six overs with Hussain Rawat (43) top scoring for them.Youshe started the run chase by hitting Hussain Sh. Ali Asghar for a four and a six in the very first over as Royals raced to 81-1 in just 5.2 overs.

Taha Mangla and Murtaza Badar were the Royals’ stars in their team’s another convincing win over Adam Alpines.Hatim Ali Asghar scored a fine 51 off 21 balls in Alpines decent total of 69-2 before Taha and Murtaza took charge and guided Royals to 73-1 off the last delivery.

AMB Avengers earlier in the day notched a comprehensive 23-run victory over Taher Tigers. Mustafa Qutbuddin (34) top scored for Avengers as they posted 64-5.In reply, Tigers were restricted to 41-7 with only Saifuddin Muqadam (17) reaching into double figures as Ibrahim Burhanuddin picked up 2-5.

Avengers’ second win of the day came against Strikers when they beat their much fancied opponents by five wickets. Captain Taha Shabbir Qadi scored 46 off 20 balls as Strikers posted 77-3.

Avengers lost their opener Huzaifa Hasan for zero before Ammar Mullah Mohammed (43 not out) and skipper Naeem Tayyab (19 not out) took charge as Avengers reached 78-2 in mere 4.2 overs.

In another match, Taheri Tigers posted tournament’s highest total so far when they made 85-2 against Burhani Bionics.

Tigers’ Mustafa Saleem made 45 off 20 balls and their total was helped by Bionics who conceded 11 extras.

In reply Bionics could score 64-5 despite captain Adnan Ratlamwala scoring a valiant 50 off 25 balls with one four and fives sixes.

Hyderbad were lurching in the bottom half of the draw but shot to No 2 place when they beat Yousufi Yorkers by seven wickets in the day’s last match.

Yorkers could manage only 51-2 off their allotted six overs and Hurricanes stormed to 55-0 in only 2.5 overs.

Sabir Mushtaq scored a breezy unbeaten 32 off 11 balls with three sixes and two fours while Hussain Rawat (21 not out) hit a boundary and a four.

Strikers had earlier also defeated Yorkers by six wickets. Yorkers could not utilize their quota of six overs when they were bowled out for 38 in 4.4 overs and Strikers reached 42-1 in 4.2 overs.

The four-day tournament is being organised by the Dawoodi Bohra Jamaat Rawalpindi to celebrate birthdays of their spiritual leaders late Syedna Muhammad Burhanuddin and Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin.

Points table (matches played, won, lost, net run-rate, points)

AMB Avengers 4-4-0-4.16-8

Hyderabad Hurricanes 4-2-2-0.86-4

Taheri Tigers 4-2-2-0.50-4

Adam Alpines 4-2-2-0.33-4

Rawalpindi Royals 4-2-2-0.09-4

Saleh Strikers 4-2-2-0.00-4

Burhani Bionics 4-1-3-1.70-2

Yousufi Yorkers 4-1-3-4.24-2