Islamabad Hawks snatch victory from hosts Kashmir Kings by 2 runs in last over
ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL
RAWALPINDI: An unbelievable over by Ilyas Khan turned the tables, as Islamabad Hawks (IH) snatched a two-run triumph from Kashmir Kings (KK) in the 6th game of Markhor Ramadan Cup 2023 here at Ayub Park National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday in a well-contest thriller.
Kashmir Kings needed merely 3 runs to reach their target of 149 runs in the last over of the match, as they had five wickets in their hands too. The winning skipper Dolat Zardan handed the white ball to Ilyas Khan for the crucial last over of the match. Ilyas first three balls without giving a single run, however, in the next three balls KK lost their three wickets and threw the win from their hands. Ilyas Khan grabbed two wickets and halted rivals to reach the target of 149 runs. Although, Mohammad Akhlaq displayed top-quality cricket and scored 59 runs in 49 balls with the help of two fours and 4 sixes, however, he failed to finish the game after losing his wicket in the penultimate over of match.
Earlier, Islamabad Hawks scored 148 for 7 runs in 20 overs. Habib Zardan (34 runs, 30 balls), Syed Israr Ali (27 runs, 22 balls), Aamir Sohail (26 runs not out, 22 balls), and Rehmat Ullah (20 runs, 19 balls) were the main contributors in their team’s total. Sufyan Moqim got 4 wickets while Junaid Ali and Salman Irshad shared one wicket each.
Summarized Scorecard:
Venue: Ayub Park National Stadium, Rawalpindi
Man of the Match: Ilyas Khan
Islamabad Hawks (Batting) 148 for 7 in 20 overs
Habib Zardan (34 runs, 30 balls), Syed Israr Ali (27 runs, 22 balls), Aamir Sohail (26 runs not out, 22 balls), Rehmat Ullah (20 runs, 19 balls)
Kashmir Kings (Bowling)
Sufyan Moqim (4 for 10), Junaid Ali (1 for 29), Salman Irshad (1 for 42)
Kashmir Kings (Batting) 146 for 8 in 20 overs
Mohammad Akhlaq (59 runs, 49 balls), Riaz Khan (25 runs, 25 balls), Iqbal Akram (14 runs not out, 13 balls)
Islamabad Hawks (Bowling)
Dolat Zardan (3 for 28), Ilyas Khan (2 for 17), Abdullah (2 for 29)
Results & Schedule of next fixtures (All matches to start on 11:00pm):
April 6, 2023: Peshawar Pathans beat Punjab Lions by 37 runs
April 7, 2023: Kashmir Kings beat Peshawar Pathans by 4 wickets
April 8, 2023: Islamabad Hawks beat Punjab Lions by 6 wickets
April 9, 2023: Rawalpindi Royals beat Islamabad Hawks on Super Over
April 10, 2023: Rawalpindi Royals beat Kashmir Kings by 9 wickets
April 11, 2023: Islamabad Hawks beat Kashmir Kings by 2 runs
April 12, 2023: Rawalpindi Royals vs Punjab Lions
April 13, 2023: Punjab Lions vs Kashmir Kings
April 14, 2023: Peshawar Pathans vs Rawalpindi Royals
April 15, 2023: Islamabad Hawks vs Peshawar Pathans
April 16, 2023: First Semifinal (Team 1 vs Team 4)
April 17, 2023: Second Semifinal (Team 2 vs Team 3)
April 18, 2023: Final (Championship Match)