Ajmal helps Wolves devour Tigers

KARACHI: Test off-spinner Saeed Ajmal bowled an outstanding spell to guide Faisalabad Wolves to an emphatic 54-run victory against Multan Tigers in their Faysal Bank T20 match at the National Stadium Karachi here on Wednesday.
Ajmal was in full as he picked up three wickets for just five runs as the Tigers were restricted 107-7 in 20 overs while chasing 162.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Gulraiz Sadaf scored 32, hitting a six and four boundaries, but failed to save his team from a big loss. Exciting left-hander Zain Abbas was also not at his blistering best and made a 27-ball 28. Imran Khalid bowled splendidly, picking up two wickets.
Earlier, a 57-run opening stand between Asif Hussain (25) and Asif Ali (44) laid a solid platform for Wolves to post a big total. But Wolves failed to capatilise on it and could only managed 161-8 in their allotted overs and that too with the help of 30 extras. Khurram Shezad made 43. Allrounder Kamran Hussain bagged two wickets. 
In the first match of the day, Nauman Habib and Test fast bowler Umar Gul shared seven wickets between them to help Peshawar Panthers beat Islamabad Leopards in Group ‘D’ opener.
Set a target of 151, Leopards were reduced to 4-18 in four overs before being finally bowled out for 122 in 19.3 overs. Naeem Anjum top-scored with a 41-ball 40 to save his side from a colossal defeat, while Afaq Raheem made a fluent 32. Nauman took four wickets with Umar Gul bagging three.
Earlier, Panthers posted a total of 150 for nine in 20 overs. Aftab Alam played an anchor role making 36 off 33 balls with a six and two fours. Zohaib Ahmed claimed three wickets.
On Tuesday night, Sialkot Stallions set a semifinal date with Lahore Eagles after they edged-out Lahore Lions with a six-wicket win in a low-scoring Group ‘C’ tie.
Lions chose to bat first and were put on back-foot by left-arm medium pace Sarfraz Ahmed, as he removed the dangerous Kamran Akmal (5) and Ahmed Shehzad (22) early on.
Lions had no answer against Stallions’ impressive bowling attack, which was bolstered by the return of Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Sarfraz Ahmed and Naved Arif (all were missing in the Super-Eight T20 event). In addition, Raza Hasan who played for Rawalpindi Rams’ was recalled to represent his native Sialkot side.
Meanwhile, apart from Lions’ skipper Abdul Razzaq (42) no one was able to rise to the occasion. They were all out for 121 in 19.4 overs.
Rana Naved bagged three wickets, while Raza Hasan, Sarfraz Ahmed and Abdur Rehman picked up two scalps each.
In reply, Stallions chased down the target with six wickets in hand and five balls to spare. Shahid Yousuf (47) and wicketkeeper Shakeel Ansar (42) both played sensible knocks to guide their side to victory.