KARACHI, Nov 8: A polished unbeaten 56 off 50 deliveries by Farhan Iqbal, enabled holders Tapal CC to win their opening match against Al Noor Gymkhana by 40 runs, in the 17th Karachi Gymkhana Callmate Cricket Festival played Friday.

Winning the toss and deciding to bat first, Tapal CC were rescued by Farhan Iqbal and Javed Masoor (37), who put on 68 runs for the fourth wicket enabling their team to reach 180 for seven wickets.

Right-arm leg-spinner Mohammad Ali Zafar was easily the pick of the Al Noor Gymkhana attack grabbing four for 25 in his five over spell.

Al Noor Gymkhana in reply lost wickets at regular intervals and were bowled out 140 runs in 20.2 overs.

Left-arm spinner Kamran Umer picked up three wickets for 21 runs and off-spinner Haris Ayaz had figures of two for 25.

A day earlier on the same ground, Mohammad Hussain CC beat Sindh Police by seven wickets.

Batting first, Sindh Police were bundled out for 149 runs in 22.4 overs with Iqbal Imam fighting a lone battle with 62 runs that contained four blistering boundaries and two mighty sixes.

Pacemen Athar Laiq three for 29, Aleem Moosa two for 36, Faisal Mirza two for 37 and Aqeel Sharif two for 30 shared the bowling honours.

Needing 150 runs for victory, Amiruddin put his team on the road to victory with a blistering knock of 74 not out off 52 deliveries laced with nine boundaries and two sixes.

Mohammad Hussain CC reached the victory target of 150 for three three wickets. Sajid Ali chipped in 32 runs and Ather Laiq (21).

Saturday fixture: Customs v A.O. Clinic 2.00pm.