Ishtiyaq shines for HK Stars, thrash Babareshi by 117 runs
Downtown Champions League T20 2015
Kashmir Royal Stars emerge victorious against Adlife Stars
An unbeaten knock of 76 runs from Ishtiyaq, and a fine knock of 50 runs from captain Amir Sofi brought HK Stars a massive 117 runs win over Baba Reshi Lions in the Khyber Big Downtown Champions League T20 at Kashmir University ground here on Tuesday.
Sofi and Ishtiyaq held their ground firmly and piled 85 runs in 5 overs to see HK Stars through to their third consecutive victory of this season. Ishtiyaq’s firey 76 came off just 29 balls with six fours and same number of sixes while Sofi hit two fours and five sixes in his fiery 50 in 21 balls.
HK Stars were given the ideal start by opener Asif Rasool who scored 23 and Kamran who added 28 to the scoreboard. Inform Zaid didn’t disappoint once again and scored 37 runs helping his team to post a huge 242 for 7 in allotted 20 overs.
For Lions, Abid Nabi remained the pick of the bowlers as he took 3 for 41 in his four overs. Omer Dar, Adil Misgar and Shakeel also took one wicket each.
Chasing 243 was always going to be tough task for Lions as they lost their half side for 88. None of their batsmen could stay on the pitch for long. Only two batsmen Imran and Muzaffar managed double figures.
Stars also managed to scalp wickets at crucial moments. Behzad, took two important wickets of Omer Wani and Abid Nabi. Captain Sofi and Khalid also took two wickets each and helped stars to bowl out Lions for just 123 with two overs to spare. Asif Rasool Aquib Rouf and Jameel also took one wicket each. Ishtiyaq for his fiery 76 was declared man of the match.
In another match, Kashmir Royal Stars pulled another win against Adlife Stars due to Khalid Khan’s blistering 56 of 39 deliveries. Opener Jehangir (36) also batted well but it was Khan who provided crucial acceleration in the Royal’s eventual 165 for 8 from allotted 20 over’s. He hit two boundaries and three six before Majid sent him back to pavilion.
Batsmen Nayeem and Hardeep played little cameos’ of 17 and 16 and helped Royal’s to post a decent total on board. For Adlife Star’s Afridi’s 3 for 32 remained the highlight as he took important wickets of Samiullah, Hardeep and Hilal. Khan was declared man of the match for his match winning inning.
