Shan, Zafar shine in SSGC’s win over Brighto Paints

KARACHI: Opener Shan Masood and left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar starred for Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) as they overcame Brighto Paints by 35 runs in their Group C encounter of Naya Nazimabad Ramazan Cup Twenty20 here at Hussain Lawai Stadium.

Left-handed Shan, who missed Pakistan’s of Ireland and England because of an injury, smashed a dazzling 80 and Zafar captured five wickets to let SSGC start their campaign on a winning note.

Batting first, SSGC posted a mammoth 212 for six with the lanky Shan clobbering five sixes in his whirlwind 80 off just 40 balls.Adil Amin smashed 78 off 48 deliveries, scoring 108 runs for the second wicket with Shan after opener Muhammad Ahmed went for eight. Osama Mir added to the misery of Brighto Paints with 20 off just six balls, studded with three towering sixes as SSGC crossed 200-run mark.

Left-arm medium-pacer Muhammad Ashraf showed resilience under pressure by snapping three wickets for 28 runs in four overs.Brighto Paints, making their debut in the competition, battled hard before being dismissed for 177 with one ball to spare.

Opener Usman Nazir blasted five sixes and three boundaries in his 54 off 31 to offer some challenge to the fancied SSGC. Zeeshan Ashraf made a fighting 43 off 31 balls, hitting a couple of sixes and four fours. Tail-ender Raees Butt showed resistance towards the end with a 21-ball knock of 29. He struck three sixes and a four.

Zafar became the first bowler in the tournament to take five wickets as he gave away only 24 runs in four overs of left-arm spin. He and Shan shared the Man of the Match award.