Faisalabad Wolves drub Multan Tigers by 54 runs: Sialkot Stallions sail into T20 semis

The trio of Shahid Yousuf, Ansar Javed and Rana Naveed played a key role as Sialkot Stallions dethroned Lahore Lions by six runs in a tight contest to sail into the semi-finals in Faysal Bank T20 Cup Cricket Tournament here at National Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Five-time Champions Sialkot Stallions survived an early scare after being 2-12 while chasing a modest 122 for victory. Opener Imran Nazir was bowled by Aizaz Cheema for eight and Faisal Naveed was bowled by Raza Ali Dar for one. However in a rearguard action Shakeel Ansar and Shahid Yousuf added 72 runs for the third wicket to put Sialkot on path to victory.
Shahid Yousuf scored 47 in 52 balls with three boundaries in a tense situation and Shakeel Ansar smashed half a dozen boundaries in his fighting 42 in 44 deliveries to take their team close to victory. Skipper Shoaib Malik finished off the match by scoring an unbeaten 15 in presence of his Indian wife and tennis icon Sania Mirza, who had come to watch the match.
Earlier another Pakistan discard Rana Naveed snapped up three wickets for 30 runs in four overs as Lahore Lions batting first, were bowled out for 121 with two balls of 20 overs to spare. Lahore captain Abdur Razzaq showed his firework with 33-ball 42 blasting four boundaries besides hoisting a six. Ahmed Shehzad made 22 with four boundaries in 17 balls.
In another match, former Champions Faisalabad Wolves got off to a sterling start in the National T20 Cup Cricket Tournament when they handed out 54 runs drubbing to Multan Tigers at National Stadium here on Wednesday evening. Opener Asif Ali smashed 44 in 35 balls with four boundaries and Khurram Shehzad cracked three boundaries in his 43 off 37 balls as Faisalabad Wolves constructed a handsome total of 161 for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs after Misbah-ul-Haq had won the toss.
Multan Tigers in reply were restricted to 107-9 in 20 overs. In first match of a day, Umar Gul's Peshawar Panthers started on a winning note by beating Islamabad Leopards by 24 runs on Wednesday. Islamabad Leopards in reply crashed to 122 all out with three balls to spare.