RAWALPINDI: Opener Umar Siddique struck an aggressive half-century and all-rounder Amad Butt grabbed three wickets to help Lake City Panthers outclass Engro Dolphins by eight wickets to open their account in the Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Umar’s unbeaten 78 off 53 balls was laced with four sixes and eight fours, and gave Panthers a flying start with 33 coming in the first three overs. By the tenth over they had reached 86 for the loss of Sharjeel Khan (14).

Umar, who was later named player-of-the-match, and stand-in skipper Haider Ali, deputising for unfit Shadab Khan, added a rapid 101 for the second wicket to bring their team within 23 runs of victory. Mubasir Khan, who scored 16 not out, hit the winning six as the 161-run target was achieved in 16 overs. Haider’s 28-ball 46 contained five boundaries and two sixes.

Dolphnis’ 160-8 showed most of the batters got starts but failed to capitalize as Mohammad Huraira top-scored with a 32-ball 37 featuring four boundaries and a six.

Mohammad Suleman struck two sixes and a boundary in his 27-ball 34 while Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (27 off 16 balls, three fours, one six) and Shayan Sheikh (20 off 12, four fours) made useful contributions as 55 runs came in the last five overs. For Panthers, all-rounder Amad Butt claimed 3-19 while Mohammad Ibtisam took 2-30.

On Monday, Allied Bank Stallions face Nurpur Lions at the same venue.

Scores in brief:

Panthers beat Dolphins by eight wickets.

DOLPHINS 160-8 in 20 overs (Mohammad Huraira 37, Mohammad Suleman 34, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori 27, Shayan Sheikh 20; Amad Butt 3-19, Mohammad Ibtisam 2-30); PANTHERS 161-2 in 16 overs (Umar Siddiq 78 not out, Haider Ali 46).

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2024