Allied Premier League kicked off on Friday, 30th September with 6 teams battling it out for a spot in the qualifiers. Pool B consisted of 3 teams, Apex Blues, Rental Falcons and AML Robusters.
Apex Blues v AML Robusters
AML Robusters batted first with opener Zubair leading from the front with a solid 36 run knock. The team lost wickets in intervals but kept the scoreboard ticking throughout the innings. Anas was the key bowler for Apex Blues, picking up 2 important wickets in his spell. Ghazanfar also took 1 wicket. However, contributions by Rehan and Farhan eventually helped boost AML Robusters to a competitive total of 102 in 8 overs.
Apex Blues were off to an impressive start in their chase with both openers contributing valuable runs with the bat. Salman and Basit formed a partnership of over 40 runs to give their team a fighting chance of winning. Robusters bowlers Farhan and Ali made the neccessary breakthrough with the ball, picking up a wicket each to finally end the threatening partnership. The target however proved to be too big in the end and despite Zeeshan's last minute heroics, Apex Blues eventually lost the match, scoring only 78 runs in 8 overs. AML Robusters won by 24 runs.
Apex Blues v Rental Falcons
Rental Falcons batted first with Adeel and Mujtaba taking over the innings and decimating the bowling opposition. Mujtaba did maximum damage, merciless against a helpless bowling unit, scoring a blistering 64 runs at an impressive strike rate of over 250. None of the Blues bowlers were able to break the team's momentum, with no wickets taken and a free flow of runs. Rental Falcons eventually posted a target of 111 runs in 8 overs.
Apex Blues had a rough day out on the field. The team struggled against a tight bowling attack, unable to keep their wickets intact and the scoreboard ticking. Falcons bowler Arif was in form and on fire, taking 4 key wickets and dismantling the Blues batsmen. Razzaq joined the party, doing further damage with the ball, picking up 2 wickets. Saeed and Anas were the only notable contributors for their side, scoring valuable runs with the bat but it wasn't enough to pull their team back in the game. Apex Blues were only able to score 77 runs in 8 overs. Rental Falcons won by 34 runs.
Rental Falcons and AML Robusters were the top two teams of Pool B and advanced to the next round.