Amir returns as Rams pip Falcons in T20 opening clash

KARACHI: International all-rounder Hammad Azam and Naved Malik excelled in their respective departments enabling former champions Rawalpindi Rams to make an impressive start when they defeated truncated Abbottabad Falcons by six wickets in their Group A opener of the Haier Super Eight T20 Cup 2014-15 at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad on Monday.
Hammad captured 4-12 in three overs to bowl Abbottabad Falcons out for a merely 109.
Naved Malik then smashed a quick-fire 25-ball 39 as Rams raced to the target with 18 balls to spare after losing four wickets.
After being invited to bat first in the overcast conditions, Falcons had a poor start when tainted Test pacer Mohammad Amir clean bowled Sajjad Ali (0) off his first delivery of the second over of the innings. Left arm-spinner Mohammad Asghar then got rid of skipper Yasir Hameed (5) to reduce Falcons to 23-2.
But at this stage, left-handers Fakhar Zaman (46) and Adnan Raees (34) shared 64 runs for the third wicket stand to pave way for posting a decent total. But after their departure, Falcons experienced a major slump and perished for a low total in 19.1 overs, thanks to superb bowling from Hammad who finished off the middle and lower order.
Falcons lost their last seven wickets inside 22 runs.
Fakhar, a former Karachi player, played some delightful strokes in his gritty 37-ball knock, having smashed two sixes and four fours. He was excellently caught by Naved Malik at deep square-leg when he attempted to hit Zahid Mansoor for a six.
Adnan, on the other hand, hammered one six and a four in his valuable 37-ball feat.
Earlier, the innings was interrupted by rain.
Hammad was ably backed by Mohammad Amir with 2-15 from 2.1 overs. Amir, who has returned to domestic cricket after four and a half years after being banned for spot-fixing, is playing his second event after his return to competitive cricket. Recently, he took 22 wickets while playing for Omar Associates in the Patron’s Trophy Grade-II. Amir’s ban will expire on September 2.
Mohammad Asghar, who plays for National Bank, picked 2-21 from four overs which also included the prized scalp of Kamran Ghulam (3). Falcons were missing their skipper Younis Khan and key bowlers Yasir Shah and Junaid Khan who returned from Bangladesh late on Monday.
Rams responded in a splendid way with Naved Malik looking too dangerous and took the game away from Falcons with some lusty hitting. The bulky right-hander, who scored 18 runs in an over off spinner Shakeel Ahmed, smashed three sixes and four fours in his fantastic knock before being caught and bowled by Kamran Ghulam.
Zahid Mansoor remained not out on 32 which came off 29 balls and featured three fours and a six.
Skipper Sohail Tanvir returned with an unbeaten ten which also contained a massive six.
Kamran Ghulam was the pick of the bowlers with 2-21 from four overs. Spinners Khalid Usman (1-18 from 4 overs) and Fakhar Zaman (1-15 from 3 overs) were the other successful bowlers.
Hammad Azam was declared man-of-the-match.
“I tried my best to contain the batsmen and in doing so I also got wickets,” Hammad said.
Falcons’ skipper Yasir Hameed said after a poor start they had a solid partnership but then the collapse damaged them.
“There was break on the track but I have been disappointed by one bowler who remained too expensive,” said Yasir.
Rams were missing their key players Awais Zia, Yasir Arafat and Umar Amin because of international commitment.
In the other Group A clash, former champions Sialkot Stallions were scheduled to face reigning national T20 champions Peshawar Panthers last night.
On Tuesday (today), Multan Tigers will face Misbah-ul-Haq-led Faisalabad Wolves at 5pm in their Group B show. In the other clash of the same group Lahore Lions will lock horns with Karachi Dolphins at 9pm.