Kamran, Butt fifties down FATA; Anwar Ali rips through Rawalpindi

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FATA‘s decision to bowl turned out to be a nightmare after Kamran Akmal, Salman Butt and Aamer Yamin struck brisk half-centuries each to set up a 41-run victory for Lahore Whites. FATA tried hard to chase down the daunting total of 213 – the highest total in the tournament so far – but were dismissed for 172 after opener Mukhtar Ahmed (30 off 15) and captain Hammad Azam (50 off 28) were the only batsmen who got going in the innings. Regular wickets from Wahab Riaz (3 for 15), Umaid Asif (2 for 27) and Bilal Asif (2 for 15) made it tough for FATA.

Lahore started with a blazing opening partnership of 94 runs between Kamran (63 off 29) and Butt (74* off 50) in 7.5 overs. FATA slowed them down with a few wickets but Yamin and Butt joined hands to hammer another hefty 75 runs in under seven overs to take Lahore past the 200 mark. FATA were scoring at over 10 runs per over with the help of Mukhtar and Hammad, but once the latter fell at the score of 151 in the 15th over, FATA could add only 21 more runs before being bowled out.

Asad Shafiq‘s 72 off 49 and Anwar Ali‘s 4 for 30 set up a 14-run win for Karachi Whites over Rawalpindi. Karachi were led to 178 by Shafiq and a cameo from Sarfraz Ahmed’s unbeaten 30 off 20 balls. In reply, Rawalpindi were off to a steady start but no batsman was able to capitalise on a start as none of them scored more than 30.

Opting to bowl, Rawalpindi struck early with the wicket of Khurram Manzoor in the second over, but Shafiq led the charge by batting until 19th over. Shahid Yousuf’s 21 off 20 and Sarfaraz’s unbeaten innings helped Karachi to a competitive total. Rawalpindi did manage to keep the game afloat for some time but were not able to keep the asking rate in check as Ruman Raees (2 for 25) and Azam Hussain (2 for 33) shared four wickets along with Anwar’s four-for. Rawalpindi needed 65 from the last five overs with only three wickets in hand and ended on 164 for 9.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

Source: ESPN Crickinfo

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