NBP, SBP record resounding victories

KARACHI: National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) recorded resounding victories in the preliminary round matches of Naya Nazimabad Ramazan Cup Twenty20, being played under floodlights, here at the picturesque Hussain Lawai Stadium.

NBP stunned holders Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd (SNGPL) by six wickets in their Group A fixture and SBP blasted Brighto Paints by eight wickets in the same group.Electing to bat first, SNGPL recovered from 97 for five to reach a fighting total of 163 for six.

Khurram Shahzad led the recovery with a fighting unbeaten 36 off 20 balls laced with a six and four boundaries. Skipper Muhammad Rizwan top-scored with a steady 41 off 38 deliveries. He hit one six and three fours.

Asif Ali smashed a couple of towering sixes in his 15-ball knock of 21 and Hussain Talat made 18 from 13 balls with three strikes to the ropes. Test left-arm spinner Abdul Rahman took two for 16 runs in his four overs.

NBP lost opener Haris Ali for three and Ahsan Ali for 32, but Rameez Raja Jr and Naveed Yasin put them on top by adding 88 runs for the third wicket. Naveed hit two sixes and four fours in his 28-ball innings, while Rameez, declared Man of the Match, clobbered three sixes and four fours in his 60 off 42 balls. Skipper Bilal Asif played a little cameo of five-ball 15 as the winning runs came with five balls to spare.

In the other match, SBP restricted Brighto Paints to 169 for nine in 20 overs despite flamboyant knocks from opener Bilal Shah (37 off 17 balls) and Raees Butt (36 off 21 balls). Leg spinner Zahid Mahmood captured three for 18 runs in four overs to stem the flow of runs.

SBP’s opener Sahibzada Farhan cracked an unbeaten 80 off 52 balls with three sixes and eight fours. Israrullah made 44 not out off 23 balls laced with three sixes and two fours to lead the victory charge. Their partnership produced 87 runs. Farhan won his second successive Man of the Match award.