KARACHI: Pakistan Test batsman Asad Shafiq struck a fine half-century while inspiring Northern Gymkhana into the semi-finals of the second Anza Cup T20 Cricket Tournament here on Thursday.
Northern Gymkhana, who tasted their third straight success in Group ‘B’, qualified for the knockout stage after clinching a comprehensive 87-run victory against Al-Amin Salt at the Nazir Hussain Gymkhana Gulberg Ground.
Batting first, Northern Gymkhana collected an imposing 190-2 with diminutive Test right-hander Asad striking 74 from 60 deliveries with the aid of seven boundaries and a brace of sixes.
Left-handed Shaharyar Ghani also played a good hand as well, hammering three massive sixes and four fours in his 20-ball 42.
Al Amin Salt, in their response to the daunting chase, mustered a disappointing 87 all out in 14.4 overs despite ex-Pakistan U-19 all-rounder Saud Shakeel making 31 featuring six boundaries.
Slow left-armer Fawad Khan and leg-spinner Nabeel Hashmi shared the bowling honours by picking up six wickets between them. Fawad captured three wickets for 11 runs, while Nabeel claimed 3-20.
Later, chief guest Azam Khan, manager of PSL franchise Quetta Gladiators, presented the man-of-the-match award to Asad Shafiq.
Summarised scores:
NORTHTREN GYMKHANA 190-2 in 20 overs (Asad Shafiq 74, Shaharyar Ghani 42; Saud Shakeel 1-34); AL-AMIN SALT 87 in 14.4 overs (Saud Shakeel 31; Fawad Khan 3-11, Nabeel Hashmi 3-20).
Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2017
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