Stallions Storm into Semi-Finals

Posted on the 29 March 2013 by Azharnadeem

Sialkot Stallions cruised into semi-final stage of the Faysal Bank T20 Cup after defeating Multan Tigers. Tigers never looked into shape and they were bowled out at lowest total (47) in domestic T20 history of Pakistan. Spinners were too difficult to play for tigers as Raza Hassan ripped through their batting line up. He took 3 wickets and conceded only 11 runs in his allotted quota of overs. Multan was tattering at 14-5 that included two run outs as well.

Stallions captain Shoaib Malik and his brother Adeel Malik also had a good day with ball as they shared three wickets among them. Kashif Naveed was the only batsman in Multan Tigers camp to offer some resistance. He scored 16 runs off 28 balls and was only batsman to enter double figures.

Earlier, match started with a delay of over one hour because of overnight rain. This forced match official reduce the game to 14 overs a side. Sialkot Stallions won the toss and elected to bowl first.

A target of 48 to win in 14 overs never looked threatening in T20 format. However, Stallions lost their opener Shakeel Ansar for seven in chase of a trifling total. This created some hope in Tigers camp but Skipper Shoaib Malik dashed all their hopes. He batted responsibly along with his partner Shahid Yousaf to take his side home. He scored 31 runs. With victory against Tigers Stallions has cruised into semifinal after finishing second in group A.