LAHORE: A quick half-century from Ali Imran backed by some good bowling by Mubasir Khan and Munir Riaz Northern to a nine-run win against Marylebone Cricket Club in their Twenty20 exhibition match here at the Aitchison College ground on Monday.

Chasing 153 for victory, the MCC faltered in the beginning losing first four wickets for 74 before they were finally restricted to 143 for seven in the allotted 20 overs.

Samit Patel and Ross Whiteley tried to steer the visitors to safety by adding 40 runs for the fifth wicket but it went in vain. Right-handed Samit top-scored with a 35-ball 39 not out featuring one four and two sixes while Whiteley made a 18-ball 21.

For Northern, Pakistan’s national T20 champions, Mubasir Khan and Munir Riaz grabbed two wickets apiece for 24 and 21 runs, respectively.

Earlier batting first, Northern earned a fighting total of 152 for five in the stipulated 20 overs thanks to opener Ali who made a 43-ball 64 studded with eight fours and two towering sixes. Sarmad Bhatti who also made a useful 25 off 21 balls with the help of two sixes.

For the MCC, Ravi Bopara excelled with the leather taking three wickets for just 14 runs in his four overs.

The MCC now play their last match of their Pakistan visit against Multan Sultans in a Twenty20 at the Aitchison College Ground on Wednesday.

Summarised scores:

NORTHERN 152-5 in 20 overs (Ali Imran 64, Sarmad Bhatti 25; Ravi Bopara 3-14); MCC 143-7 in 20 overs (Samit Patel 39 not out, Ross Whiteley 21; Mubasir Khan 2-24, Munir Riaz 2-21).

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2020