Karachi Zebras win on a last thriller in T20 Cup

KARACHI: A solid unbroken 132-run stand between Hasan Raza and Rameez Aziz carried Karachi Zebras to a thrilling six wickets victory over Abbotabad Falcons on the last ball in the National T20 Cup Cricket Tournament at National Stadium on Monday evening.

Right handed Hasan Raza scored an aggressive unbeaten 74 off 50 deliveries spiced with 11 boundaries and lefty Rameez Aziz hammered ten boundaries in his undefeated 67 in 53 balls to setup an amazing win.

Karachi Zebras which lost an exciting opening game against Lahore Eagles, looked dead and buried after they were reduced to 28-4 in the fifth over. But Hasan and Rameez changed the course of the match with their fighting batting display.

Karachi needed ten runs in the last over and three on the last delivery which was despatched to third man boundary as Karachi Zebras players rushed onto the ground to greet their heroes.

However, both Karachi Zebras and Abbotabad Falcons were already out of the race for the semifinals after Lahore Eagles won their all three matches to qualify for the last four rounds.

Karachi Zebras and Abbotabad were battling for a place in next year's Super 8-Eight T20 Cup.

Earlier when Abbotabad Falcons batted opener Yasir Hameed maintained his consistent run with superb 51-ball 73 with nine boundaries and Captain Younis Khan made 42 in 32 balls with four boundaries. Leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, who is a leading the side took three wickets for 30 runs in four overs.

Summarized scores: Abbotabad Falcons 158-6 in 20 overs (Yasir Hameed 73, Younis Khan 42, Danish Kaneria 3-30, Atif Maqbool 2-31) Karachi Zebras 160-4 in 20 overs (Hasan Raza 74 not out, Rameez Aziz 67 not out, Khalid Osman 2-33).

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011