KARACHI: Inspired by brilliant century from Furqan Lohar and a whirlwind knock from Adeel Khan, Kaaf Engineering annihilated Acme Technologies by a huge 171-run margin in the opening fixture of the third Naya Nazimabad Ramazan Cricket Tournament in the early hours of Friday.

A decent crowd at the Lawai Cricket Stadium saw Kaaf Engineering batsmen entertained them in the first half of the Group ‘A’ match which started at 10:30pm on Thursday.

Losing the toss proved a blessing in disguise for Kaaf Engineering as Acme Technologies decided fielding first would be the best option. But the decision hounded them from the onset.

Furqan played a spectacular innings of 125 to help his side amass 306-6 in the stipulated 20 overs, while bludgeoning 11 fours and 10 sixes during his 58-ball effort.

But Furqan’s grand display was overshadowed by Adeel who smote 13 sixes and a single boundary while clobbering an incredible 85 from just 18 deliveries.

Faced with a massive retrieve mission, Acme Technologies fell dismally short of even offering a decent fight. In the end, they slumped meekly for 135 on the penultimate delivery of what turned out be a one-sided match. Shaz Sajani, who had earlier taken two wickets, batted best for the losers with a 38-ball 47, featuring five boundaries and two sixes.

Kaleemullah bagged three wickets with Arif Yaqoob and Akbar chipping in with a brace apiece before Adeel’s belligerent contribution fetched him the man-of-the-match award ahead of Furqan.

KCCA president and Pakistan Cricket Board’s governing body member Prof Ejaz Ahmed Faruqi graced the opening match as the chief guest. The ceremony was also attended by director sports of Naya Nazimabad Mohammad Iqbal and organizing secretary Azhar Iqbal.

Summarised scores:

KAAF ENGINEERING 306-6 in 20 overs (Furqan Lohar 125, Adeel Khan 85, Aaqib Rizvi 68; Shaz Sajani 2-69); ACME TECHNOLOGIES 135 in 19.5 overs (Shaz Sajani 47, Irfan Sheikh 26; Kalimullah 3-7, Arif Yaqoob 2-19, Akbar 2-25).

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2015

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