KARACHI, Dec 5: A blistering 82 off 62 balls laced with 10 scorching boundaries by the Man of the Match Maisam Hussnain enabled Baqai Dolphins upset holders Tapal CC by seven wickets in the final to lift the 17th Karachi Gymkhana Callmate festival marred by unruly behaviour of couple of players on Thursday at the Karachi Gymkhana ground.

Deciding to bat first after winning the toss Tapal got off to a nervous start losing Saqib Zia and skipper Hanif-ur-Rehman with only 28 on the board. Faran Adil joined Imranullah and the two got together to build up the innings.

Left-hander Imranullah smacked off-spinner Atif Maqbool with a reverse sweep which sent the ball sailing over the square leg boundary for a six.

Atif completely taken aback said a few words to the batsman, who in turn returned the compliments. Imran then came down the wicket threatingly with bat in hand and Maqbool immediately removed a stump and a battle royale ensued to the horror of the numerous spectators watching the proceedings.

After a few blows were traded, the players were separated as play was held up. After tempers cooled off the match continued but it must have upset Imran immensely for he was dismissed for 25.

Tapal could only reach 155 for eight wickets in their 25 stipulated overs. Off-spinner Atif claimed three wickets for 33.

With Maisam leading the onslaught Baqai Dolphins reeled off the required runs for victory in 21.1 overs while reaching 159 for six. Qaiser chipped in with 35 runs and Test star Hassan Raza was still at the wicket, unbeaten with 20 when victory came. The winners received the glittering trophy and the cash prize of Rs.1,70,000 while the losers picked up for Rs.80,000.

The best batsman award went to Hanif-ur-Rehman and Atif the best bowler of the tournament, was replaced by Adnan Malik due to his indicipline on the field. Best fielder award went to Javed Mansoor and Aamir Iqbal was declared the best wicket-keeper.

Although Atif and Imranullah made their apologies on the public address system after the prize distribution, the Managing Committee of the Karachi Gymkhana decided to slap a three-year ban on both players preventing them to appear on the Karachi Gymkhana Ground.

Summarized scores:

Tapal CC 155 for eight wickets in 25 overs (Farhan Adil 52, Imranullah 25; Atif Maqbool 3-33, Qasier Abbas 2-34); Baqai Dolphins 159 for three in 21.1 overs (Maisam Hasnain 82, Qasier Abbas 35, Hasan Raza 20 not out).—APP