Umar, Asad help Omar Associates overpower North Hawks

KARACHI: Umar Akmal’s sensational power hitting earned a three-wicket victory for Omar Associates over North Hawks in the latest fixture of the Dr M A Shah Night Trophy Cricket Tournament here at the Asghar Ali Shah Stadium late on Monday evening.

The discarded Pakistan middle-order batsman hammered 72 off only 26 balls. Skipper Asad Shafiq also notched up a half century to help the team reach what had looked a daunting target of 206 off 20 overs. They trumped Zain Abbas, the centurion of their opponents.

Before the start of the match, both the teams were introduced to chief guest Dr Syed Junaid Ali Shah, a former provincial minister.

The sizzling stroke-play of Umar, adjudged Man of the Match, further brightened proceedings under floodlights. He whacked eight towering sixes besides three fours in a ruthless exhibition of power hitting.

Asad was also in a punishing mood as he clobbered four sixes and three fours in his 51 off 27 balls. Usman Khan hit two sixes and five fours in his 41 off 30 balls to take Omar Associates to victory in just 16.2 overs.

Earlier, put into bat, North Hawks posted an impressive total of 205 for three in the allotted 20 overs, largely due to opener Zain Abbas, who smashed seven sixes and one four in his devastating knock of 111 off 56 balls. Ramiz Aziz also batted brilliantly, scoring 83 off 59 balls with two sixes and eight fours.