Karachi Patriots Vs Friends XI
16th Challengers Cup
Friends XI batted first and were off to a miserable start losing quick wickets at the top and it left them in dire situation at the top. The opening bowling pair from Karachi Patriots were in top form with the ball, Adnan Ghazi picked up 2 top order wickets for just 18 runs whereas Faisal only gave away 6 runs in his spell of 2 overs. Friends XI needed someone to stabilize the things and Irfan and Qamar tried to do that with their partnership in the middle. Irfan Ullah scored 40 off 37 balls whereas Qamar Ud Duja scored 35 off 40 balls. The partnership did give some stability to the innings but ending was also a top one from the bowlers, just like they started they ended on a high as well and did not allow the batsmen to gain any momentum in the dying overs. Sameer and Rizwan picked up 2 wickets each at the bottom and at good economy to restrict the opposition to just 133.
The chase was a modest one and Karachi Patriots believed in themselves. On the other hand, Friends XI needed something inspirational from someone to restrict the opposition. The start was good from the bowling side as Faheem and Haris picked up early wickets but it was not enough as Karachi Patriots came back strongly in the game on the back of partnership between Faisal and Aamir Motiwala. Faisal Butt scored a sensational 50 off just 40 balls with 8 majestic boundaries whereas Aamir Motiwala was not far behing with 47 off 41 balls including 5 fours. The bowlers helped them as well as they gave away as many as 21 extras and in the end, the chase was completed successfully and easily only in 18.4 overs.