Omar Associates overwhelm SNGPL

KARACHI: Former champions Omar Associates overwhelmed defending champions Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) by 38 runs in their Group B encounter of Naya Nazimabad Ramazan Cup Twenty20 here at Hussain Lawai Stadium.

Left-arm spinner Asif Ali turned out to be the star of the night as his four-wicket haul powered Omar Associates to a comfortable win. The holders are now almost out of the competition having lost two successive games. Chasing 196, SNGPL were restricted to 157 for nine wickets with Asif’s figures of four for 29 fetching him the Man of the Match award.

Saad Nasim, who has played limited overs cricket for Pakistan, played a captain’s knock to guide Omar Associates to an impressive total of 195 for eight. He hit an aggressive 50 off 31 balls, hoisting four sixes and two boundaries.

Khushdil Shah cracked 19-ball 40 with two sixes and four boundaries.Opening the innings, Umar Akmal set the tone by striking a couple of sixes and four fours in his 43 off 32 balls. His opening partner Sami-ur-Rehman whacked two sixes and one four in his 21 off 11 balls.

SNGPL lost openers Asad Ali (11) and Taimoor Sultan (25) with total on 41. However, skipper Muhammad Rizwan in company with international Hussain Talat fought back with a partnership of 61 runs for the third wicket.

Rizwan perished after making 33-ball 44 with one six and five fours. Talat made 31 off 22 balls with a six and three fours.

Enterprising batsman Asif Ali, who rose to fame in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final at National Stadium with three massive sixes, smashed 26 off 15 balls, studded with one six and two fours. It was all over for SNGPL when he was bowled by his namesake Asif. Left-arm spinner Asif was well supported by fast bowler Muhammad Irfan and Muhammad Asghar both of whom claimed two wickets each.