ZTBL trounce star studded SNGPL in T-20 final

LAHORE: Haris Sohail celebrated his call-up for the Pakistan T-20 team with a quick fire fifty which along with a fiver from left arm quickie Usman Khan helped Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) thump star studded Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) by 78 runs in Lahore and secure the Faysal Bank Department T20 Cup.

Going after a big total of 185 in an electrifying atmosphere at the Gaddafi Stadium, SNGPL began their chase poorly, as Usman stunned them with a double strike in the opening over. Mohammad Rizwan was the first to depart after edging behind to the keeper Shakeel Ansar, and two deliveries later, Taufeeq Umar was bowled for a two-ball duck.

With the pressure starting to mount on SNGPL, Usman struck again in his second over, dismissing Ali Waqas and Misbah-ul-Haq as the team slumped to 9 for 4- a point of no recovery. The pitch still looked good for runs, however, and Umar Akmal capitalized, smashing 16 runs off Mohammad Khalil in the fourth over, but his 19-run cameo ended when he carved a catch to Usman at third man.

Bilalawal Bhatti, who made his Pakistan debut last month, was the only form of resistance for SNGPL. He made 38 off 20 balls with two sixes and five fours, but eventually slashed a top edge back to Ansar in the 12th over. Medium-pacer Imran Khan chipped in with three wickets, as SNGPL were bundled out for 106 in 16.1 overs.

Earlier, ZTBL, put in to bat, made a flying start as Imran Nazir and Sharjeel Khan opened the inning with a blitzing 85-run stand, but they were both trapped lbw by Imran Ali in the 10th over.

The team's run rate began to fall as Yasir Hameed and Sohail took some time to settle, but once they found their feet, they anchored the innings with a 54-run third-wicket stand. Hameed was removed for 32, but Sohail added a late surge to the innings. His 32-ball 58 which included five fours and three sixes, eventually helped the team to 184 for 3.