KARACHI, Nov 7: Test reject Saeed Anwar struck a whirlwind 87 off just 55 deliveries to help Tapal CC score a crushing nine-wicket victory over UBL Academy in the opening tie of the 8th Tapal Trophy Ramazan Cricket Festival here Thursday.

Guest player Saeed is in the city these days, tending to his critically ill father-in-law, who is suffering from renal failure.

Man-of-the-Match Saeed set the UBL Sports Complex alight with a series of blazing strokes, striking 10 fours and five sixes after a cautious start.

Hanif-ur-Rehman also batted well to make 41 off 21 balls in the opening stand of 84 as Tapal CC made light work of their target of 141.

Earlier, UBL Academy, led by former Test batsman Mansoor Akhtar, were restricted to 140 for six in 25 overs with opener Usman Farhat hitting four fours and three sixes in a well-made 63.

Summarised scores:

UBL ACADEMY 140-6 in 25 overs (Usman Farhat 63; Kamran Umar 2-24);

TAPAL CC 144-1 in 15.3 overs (Saeed Anwar 87 not out, Hanif-ur-Rehman 41).