Lahore Lions opener Ahmed Shehzad scored his second successive half-century
Merciless Lahore Lions crushed Islamabad Leopards by six wickets in a low-scoring match at LCCA Ground on Tuesday to register their fourth successive victory in Faysal Bank T20 Cup.
Thanks to the catastrophic bowling from pace duo Aizaz Cheema (3-16) and Wahab Riaz (3-17), Lahore Lions restricted Islamabad to a below-par 104 and overhauled the diminutive target with 31 balls to spare.
The fourth win in a row elevated Lions to the top of Group A with eight points. Defending champions Sialkot Stallions, who also are unconquered in the tournament so far, have been moved to the second spot with six points.
Ahmed Shehzad, who hit 56 off 45 balls to record his second successive half-century, was the cornerstone of Lions’ chase. His swashbuckling vigil was laced with seven whopping boundaries and a six.
Antagonistic Shehzad commenced the chase flamboyantly and smacking attacking shots all over the park propelled the total to 65-0 inside seven overs before part-time bowler removed Imam-ul-Haq (14) at the other end.
Akmal brothers Kamran and Umar departed cheaply before Shehzad teamed up with Sohail Ahmed (16*) to take hosts at verge of victory.
Seamer Zohaib Ahmed claimed the inconsequential wicket of Shehzad in the 14th over but the opener had done the enough work to ensure Lions victory.
Earlier, elected to bat, Islamabad failed to gain momentum early in the innings and slumped to 4-30 inside six overs after Naeem Anjum (2), Sajid Ali (11), Shan Masood (9) and Moed Ahmed (0), departed cheaply.
Zohaib Ahmed (15) and Imad Wasim (20) snapped up the tumble of wickets and shared 36 runs for the fifth wicket to reduce Islamabad misery.
After pair’s departure in quick-succession, Faizan Riaz and Umar Gul scored 18 and 13 runs respectively to take the total into three-figures.