KARACHI, June 03 : Discarded Pakistan fast bowler Muhammad Irfan Senior took three wickets in a fiery spell as former Champions Omar Associates entered the final of 5th Naya Nazimabad Ramadan Cup T20 Cricket Tournament with an emphatic 47-run victory over Sui Sothern Gas Company (SSGC) on Saturday night.
Lanky Irfan snapped up three wickets for 11 runs in 3.2 overs and left arm spinner Muhammad Asif chipped in with three wickets for seven runs as SSGC chasing 145 for victory, were bowled out for 97 in the 17th over at Lawai Cricket Stadium.
Despite reachable target, SSGC batsmen played some poor strokes which brought their downfall after bowlers restricted Omar Associates to comparatively to low total.
Opener Shan Masood was caught in the deep off Muhammad Nawaz for nine while Irfan removed captain Umar Amin (5), hard-hitting Muhammad Ahmed (7) and Adil Amin (16) become Muhammad Asghar’s victim as SSGC slumped to 38-4.
International Aamir Yamin fought the lost battle in the end with an unbeaten 26 off 14 balls with two fours and two towering sixes. Eventually Sui Gas batting crumbled for 97.
Earlier Omar Associates after some hiccups reached 144 for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs thanks to fighting captain’s innings of 41 by Saad Nasim in just 22 balls which was studded with five massive sixes which entertain the large crowd.
Omar Associates and Quetta Gladiators franchise owner Nadeem Omar was looking anxious after his team’s batting. But later his bowlers displayed excellent job with the leather to seal victory for his team.
Omar Associates batting was jolted by left arm spinner Kashif Bhatti after he took the prized scalps of hitters Umar Akmal (16) and Sami-ur-Rehman (6) after they won the toss and elected to bat first.
Former Federal Finance Minister Miftah Ismail, who was chief guest, presented the man of the match award to Muhammad Irfan. President Summit Bank Hussain Lawai and ex-FCCPI Zubair Tufail were also present on the occasion.
Summarized scores:
Omar Associates 144-8 in 20 overs (Saad Nasim 41, Muhammad Nawaz 24, Usman Khan 22, Umar Akmal 16, Danish Aziz 11, Kashif Bhatti 2-15, Muhammad Irfan Jr. 2-17, Zafar Gohar 2-24) SSGC 97 all out in 16.2 overs (Aamir Yamin 26 not out, Adil Amin 16, Maqbool Ahmed 14, Muhammad Irfan Jr.10, Asif Ali 3-7, Muhammad Irfan Sr.3-11, Muhammad Nawaz 2-31).
