Malik seizes semis berth for holder Stallions

KARACHI—Experienced campaigner Shoaib Malik slammed an elegant unbeaten half century as reigning champion Sialkot Stallions breezed into the semifinal of third ABN AMRO Twenty20 Cup Cricket Championship when they whipped Hyderabad Hawks by 24 runs at UBL Sports Complex ground Saturday.
With their back to back victories in mere 24 hours, Stallions topped the three team pool “B”. Both Karachi Zebras and Hawks were out of contention for race in last four round.
Malik banged five boundaries and a six in his 61-ball knock of 53 not out as Stallions overhauled Hawks’ total in 19th overs. Talented Shahid Yousuf scored 32 in 25-balls with a pair of 6s and 4s.
Malik and Shahid added 72-runs for the second wicket after Imran Nazir was dismissed for two and Malik shared a further 64-runs for third wicket with Qasier Abbas, who hit two 4s and a six in cameo of 32 in 27-balls.
Earlier late on Friday night, lucky Stallions after being dismissed for 106, beat Karachi Zebras by two runs on Duckworth/Lewis method by two runs at National Stadium due to power failure when Zebras were 69 for 5 in 13.5 overs.
After power failure during third ODI between Pakistan and West Indies at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore, this was second power failures incident which denied Zebras possible victory.
Left arm paceman Malik Aftab snapped-up four wickets for 17 runs in four overs to clinch the man of the match award. Test leg-spinner Danish Kaneria grabbed three wickets for 11 runs as powerful Sialkot Stallions crashed to 106 all out in 18th overs.
Only Rana Naved (28), Shahid Yousuf (15) and Extras (16) reached double figure. Shoaib Malik (01), Qasier Abbas (8) and Rana Naved went cheaply.
At Asghar Ali Shah Stadium under lights on Friday nights, leg- spinner Imranullah took five wickets for 17 runs and paceman Shabbir Ahmed grabbed three wickets for 15 runs in Multan Tigers’ 21-run victory over Islamabad Leopards.
Bazid Khan cracked a fine 53 off 45 balls with five 4s and a six for Leopards.
Summarized scores: Stallions bt Hawks by seven wkts. Hyderabad Hawks 145-4 in 20 overs (Rizwan Ahmed 42 not out, Murtuza Solangi 29, Faisal Athar 19, Noman Ali 14 not out, Tahir Mughal 2-22) Sialkot Stallions 144-3 in 19 overs (Shoaib Malik 53, Qasier Abbas 36, Shahid Yousuf 32,Farhan Ayub 2-23). Stallions bt Zebras by two runs by D/L method.Sialkot Stallions 106 all out in 17.5 overs (Rana Naved 28, Shahid Yousuf 15, Extras 16, Malik Aftab 4-17, Danish Kaneria 3-11) Karachi Zebras 69 all out in 13.5 overs (Muhammad Asif 2-12). Multan Tigers bt Islamabad Leopards by 21 runs. Multan Tigers 147-8 in 20 overs (Kamran Hussain 44, Saeed Anwar 24, Kashif Naveed 23, Azhar Mahmood 3-17, Bilal Asad 3-19) Islamabad Leopards 126 all out in 18.4 overs (Bazid Khan 53, Bilal Asad 22, Imranullah 5-17, Shabbir Ahmed 3-15).—Agencies