KARACHI: Hasan Sardar played a pivotal role in guiding Qasmi CC to a five-wicket victory against Soni Associates in their 31st Aga Khan Gymkhana T20 Ramazan Cricket Tournament fixture here on Saturday.

Hasan, who was later declared man-of-the-match in the Group ‘C’ match at the Aga Khan Gymkhana Ground , first excelled with the ball by claiming three wickets for 21 runs with his leg-spinners before top-scoring with an 32-ball unbeaten knock of 43 featuring three boundaries and a brace of sixes.

After Qasmi CC captain Abid Qasmi won the toss and elected to field first, Soni Associates collected 126 for the loss of nine wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

Asif Izhar was chief run-getter with 36, in a 33-ball innings laced with two sixes and a four. Ahmed Hussain scored 30 off 40 balls with three fours.

Hasan received fine support from slow left-armer Wasim Ali who picked up three wickets for 25 runs.

Qasmi CC, in reply, reached their target by making 127-5 in18.2 overs. Riaz Mirani batted well to score 30 off 20 balls with five boundaries before Hasan took over.

Off-spinner Ali Iqbal snared two wickets for 32 runs but heroics were unable to prevent Qasmi CC from winning.

Summarised scores:

SONI ASSOCIATES 126-9 in 20 overs (Asif Izhar 36, Ahmed Hussain 30; Hasan Sardar 3-21, Wasim Ali 3-25); QASMI CC 127-5 in 18.2 overs (Hasan Sardar 42 not out, Riaz Mirani 30, Bilal Irshad 20; Ali Iqbal 2-32 ).

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2018