Bankers can be good cricketers too
MCB crush Saudi-Pak Bank in friendly encounter
Kamran, Tahir shine in MCB’s maiden triumph
Sports Correspondents

ISLKAMABAD—Who says bankers are rough, dry, figure oriented species alone, no they can be good sportsmen too. And this is what they proved when bankers from MCB Jinnah Supper and Saudi-Pak Bank Islamabad locked horns in a friendly encounter at Sitara Market Cricket ground this Sunday.
MCB Jinnah Supper’s Captain, Kamran Hafeez, who is also the Chief Manager, won the toss and invited Saudi-Pak to bat first, on the wicket that was having a bit of moisture, owing to the overnight dew.
The decision proved to be absolutely accurate as MSB pacers, utilizing the mild moisture, struck right in the beginning. Fir just 32 runs on the board, three top order Saud-Pak batsmen were back to the pavilion. At this stage, Waheed Asghar and Zill showed a reasonable resistance to MCB attack. Both scored 55 and 43 not out respectively. Despite this humble resistance, MCB bowling line up managed to wrap-up the Saudi-Pak inning with just 208 on the board. Three quick wickets for just 18 runs by Skipper Kamran Hafeez, fierce spell of 5 overs, 2 maidens, 3 for 14 by Tahir Akhtar (Vice Captain) and dazzling catches in the slips by Tanveer were the main features while Azmat lodhi and Ayaz Mahmood also contributed in the quick wrap-up of Saudi-Pak innings.
Chasing a modest target of 208, MCB started their inning with confidence and luck both. The aggressive approach of the MCB openers can be gauged from the fact that the total was 36 in just first 2 overs. With Skipper leading from the front and scoring sparkling 65 and Vice Captain Tahir Akhtar hitting quick 46 and with Azmat scoring 43 off just 19 deliveries, MCB managed to see through the victory in just 17 overs with the final total of 209 for 6. Furqan and Whaeed Asghar took 2 wickets each for Saudi-Pak.
The All round performance by Captain and Vice Captain and the discipline, both on and off the field were the key features of MCB’s victory.