Omar Associates down SNGPL in Ramazan Cricket

KARACHI: Former champions Omar Associates overwhelmed defending champions Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) by 38 runs in their Group B encounter of the 5th Naya Nazimabad Ramazan Cup Twenty20 Cricket Tournament 2018 being played under floodlights, here at the picturesque 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 crushing win and it very nearly meant the end of the road for the holders who succumbed to their second defeat in as many outings. Chasing a target of 196, SNGPL was restricted to 157 for nine wickets in the allotted 20 overs with Asif Ali’s figures of four for 29 fetching him the coveted Man of the Match award.

Saad Nasim,a former international, played a captains knock to guide Omar Associates to an impressive total of 195 for eight in 20 overs. He led the way by hitting an aggressive 50 off 31 balls hoisting four sixes and two boundaries while 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 and two sixes in his 43 off 32 balls while his opening partner Sami-ur-Rehman whacked two sixes and one four his 21 in 11-ball cameo.

Facing challenging chase, SNGPL lost openers Asad Ali (11) and Taimoor Sultan (25) with total on 41. However the skipper Muhammad Rizwan in company with international Hussain Talat added 61 runs for the third wicket to made fighting recovery.

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

Enterprising batsman Asif Ali, who rose to fame in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final at National Stadium while steering Islamabad United victory with three massive sixes, smashed 26 off 15 balls studded with one six and two fours but he was bowled by his namesake Asif thus bringing to an end his team’s chances of victory. Left-arm spinner Asif was well supported by the giant fast bowler, Muhammad Irfan, and Muhammad Asghar both of whom claimed two wickets each.