Sialkot Stallions Innings:

The second semi final (of the Super Eight T-20 Cup tournament), featured the Sialkot Stallions and Peshawar Panthers battling it out for a spot in the finals. Stallions won the toss and elected to bat, perhaps hoping to mimic the Lions' exquisite start in the earlier semi final match today. 

 

Expecting a lot out of the man in form - Imran Nazir - the Stallions got off to a healthy start by accumulating more than 30 runs within the first 3 overs. However, Imran Nazir's time at the crease was short-lived as he was given out lbw to spinner Mohammad Aslam - attempting a sweep shot but losing his balance in the process. Although the electrifying crowd was perhaps expecting a throwback to Nazir's earlier 59 runs stand from just 34 balls (against the Rawalpindi Rams), such a sight was not to be seen as he was dismissed for just 15 runs. 

 

Picking up the torch after Nazir's dismissal, 33 year-old Shakeel Ansar then proceeded to build a crucial stand with partner Haris Sohail. A period of drought, in terms of obtaining wickets, made the situation a bit dreary for the Panthers as Stallions were already at 129-1 after just 14 overs (scoring at a rate of more than 9 per over) - with plenty of batting yet to come. 

 

Pressure building on the Panthers with each passing over, a helpless Gul was surely lamenting an earlier mistake - where he dropped a simple catch (off his own bowling) that could have dismissed Shakeel Ansar in the second over of the game. Nevertheless, the Stallions kept trotting on in sublime form, looking to take the score up to 200. Haris Sohail, earlier recognized as having a bright future by captain Shoaib Malik, provided the perfect support to partner Shakeel Ansar, and also obtained his maiden T-20 fifty in the process.

 

No breaks coming the Panthers' way, Shakeel Ansar persevered with the pleasing strokes, and became the first century maker in the tournament (100* from 67 balls). Despite averaging only 12.77 in First-class cricket and 19.04 in List A, with the brilliant batting on display today, Shakeel Ansar will surely get some heads to turn. 

 

Ultimately, the monstrous 158 runs partnership between Sohail and Ansar left the Panthers' bowling attack in utter turmoil. Unlike the Lahore Lions in the earlier match today, the Stallions fully capitalized on their booming start. Striking the right balance between application and style, they managed to get close to the 200 mark and ended their innings on 197-1, fully dominating the Panthers amidst the magnetic aura of the Pindi stadium. 

A portentous task ahead of them, the Panthers were unable to find their footing during the chase. Stallions' bowler Sarfraz Ahmed struck in the very first over, sending back Iftikhar Ahmed soon after he had dispatched a six off the bowler in the previous delivery. Gauhar Ali was the only batsman who managed to put up a resistance against the clinical Stallions, as spinner Abdur Rehman went about picking off Israrullah, Rafatullah Mohmand and Zohaib Khan within a period of 3 overs. 

 

Teetering at 75-4 halfway through their innings, the Panthers' batsmen found some solace by scoring freely against Shoaib Malik. Although they were able to provide some momentary entertainment by going after the Stallions' captain, the job at hand was too much, as the economical Abdur Rehman had smothered any hope of a fightback in the previous overs. 

 

Panthers' last flame was then snuffed out by left-arm spin of Raza Hasan. Wicket-keeper Gauhar Ali, the lone warrior, played a crucial innings (much like wicket-keeper Shakeel Ansar did for the Stallions), but his efforts couldn't undo the damage. Gauhar made 68 runs from 53 balls, and hit eight boundaries along with two sixes. 

 

Indeed, a day where the wicket-keepers shined for both teams, thus, further adding to the competition present for the sole spot. 

 

With Gauhar Ali's dismissal, however, the chances of any resurrection was also dismissed. Captain Gul soon followed him after getting bowled out - thus causing a delighted 'flying doormat' (aka Rana Naved) to pump his fists in celebration. 

 

The task already too monumental after Gauhar Ali's departure (at which point Panthers needed 75 runs from 30 balls), Rana Naved then proceeded to pick off Shoaib Khan, further denting the Panthers. Managing to limp to 157-8 after 20 overs, Riaz Afridi of Panthers provided some last minute fireworks, but the clinical Stallions ended on a winning note, jubilant and victorious by 40 runs. 

 

The Stallions will now face the Dolphins in the much anticipated final tomorrow (April 1st, 2012).