December 22, 2006	Friday	Ziqa'ad 30, 1427

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KARACHI, Dec 21: The start of the third ABN-AMRO Twenty20 Cup provided a stunning result on Thursday when Karachi Dolphins shocked former champions Interloop Wolves Faisalabad by a narrow margin of two runs here at the National Stadium.

Karachi, in fact, enjoyed a good day because their Zebras outfit also emerged triumphant with a 52-run defeat of Hyderabad Hawks at the UBL Sports Complex.

Lahore Eagles, meanwhile, got the better of Abbottabad Rhinos by 80 runs at the NBP Sports Complex while at the time of filing this report Peshawar Panthers were playing Multan Tigers in the last match of the opening day at the National Stadium.

Khalid Latif was the Dolphins’ star performer as the home team prevailed over the Wolves, the winners of the inaugural tournament in 2004-05. The opener, who was adjudged man-of-the-match, lashed 72 off 47 balls while smashing seven boundaries and three sixes as the Dolphins reached 171 for four in their stipulated overs.

Naumanullah also was in punishing mood as he blasted a 32-ball 55, inclusive of three sixes and four fours while ex-Test left-hander Shadab Kabir contributed 28.

But the biggest disappointment for a large turnout was Dolphins skipper Shahid Afridi. The enigmatic Pakistan all-rounder made just nine. But later he picked up two for 29 with his quickish leg-spinners as the Wolves made 169 for nine.

Misbah-ul-Haq (53 off 33 balls, three sixes and as many fours), Imran Ali (44, five fours) and Mohammad Hafeez (31, three fours and one six) were major scorers for last season’s runners-up.

Ex-Test batsmen Asim Kamal (49 off 30 balls, eight fours and one six) and skipper Hasan Raza (43 off 40 balls, one six and one four) were main run-getters as Zebras were restricted to 149 for nine after being invited to bat by the Hawks’ captain Faisal Athar.

But the Hawks found the going extremely difficult against the wily leg-spin of Danish Kaneria as they eventually limped to 97 for nine. The Test spinner returned figures of three for 13 in four overs while left-arm pacer Malik Aftab claimed two for 15. Hasan Raza also one wicket for 20 and was named man-of-the-match.

Former Test pacemen Junaid Zia (3-15) and Mohammad Khalil (2-15) sliced through the top-order as the Rhinos, chasing 171, were bundled out for 90 in the 18th over. Eagles’ opener Ashfaq Ahmed was declared man-of-the-match for his blistering 50 off 27 deliveries. He slammed five fours and a brace of sixes.

Meanwhile, the organizers made a late amendment in the schedule on Thursday when they announced two matches slated for the Asghar Ali Stadium would now be played under floodlights, starting at 6.00pm. Multan Tigers face Islamabad Leopards on Friday while Karachi Dolphins meet Abbottabad Rhinos on Saturday.

Summarised scores:

At UBL Sports Complex: Karachi Zebras beat Hyderabad Hawks by 52 runs.

KARACHI ZEBRAS 149-9 in 20 overs (Asim Kamal 49, Hasan Raza 43; Rizwan Ahmed 2-24, Nauman Ali 2-24, Farhan Ayub 2-27)); HYDERABAD HAWKS 97-9 in 20 overs (Taj Wassan 26, Hanif Malik 22; Danish Kaneria 3-13, Malik Aftab 2-15).

At NBP Sports Complex: Lahore Eagles beat Abbottabad Rhinos by 80 runs.

LAHORE EAGLES 170-6 in 20 overs (Ashfaq Ahmed 50, Aamir Sajjad 42, Khaqan Arsal 22 not out, Humayun Farhat 21; Dilawar Khan 2-27, Nasir Jalil 2-41); ABBOTTABAD RHINOS 90 in 17.2 overs (Adnan Raees 25; Junaid Zia 3-15, Imran Farhat 2-11, Mohammad Khalil 2-15).

At National Stadium: Karachi Dolphins beat Interloop Wolves Faisalabad by two runs.

KARACHI DOLPHINS 171-4 in 20 overs (Khalid Latif 70, Naumanullah 55, Shadab Kabir 28; Saeed Ajmal 2-36); INTERLOOP WOLVES FAISALABAD 169-9 in 20 overs (Misbah-ul-Haq 53, Imran Ali 44, Mohammad Hafeez 31; Shahid Afridi 2-29).

Friday’s fixtures: Rawalpindi Rams v Quetta Bears at NBP Sports Complex (10.00am); Interloop Wolves Faisalabad v Lahore Eagles at National Stadium (5.00pm); Multan Tigers v Islamabad Leopards at Asghar Ali Stadium (6.00pm); Sialkot Stallions v Karachi Zebras at National Stadium (8.30pm).