WEBDESK: Lahore Blues delivered an impressive performance to defeat Sialkot by 33 runs in the National T20 Cup quarter-finals at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad. With this win, Lahore Blues have secured their place in the semi-finals alongside Peshawar, Abbottabad, and Multan.
Batting first, Lahore Blues posted a strong total of 184 runs in their 20 overs. The top scorer was Umar Siddiq, who played a brilliant knock of 65 runs off 44 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes. Hammad Butt added 19 runs off 13 balls, while Nisar Ahmad contributed a quick 21 runs off just seven balls. Despite strong bowling from Sialkot’s Hasan Ali, who took four wickets, Lahore Blues managed to set a challenging target.
In response, Sialkot struggled to build momentum and were bowled out for 151 runs in 18.5 overs. Opener Mirza Tahir Baig put up a solid fight, scoring 77 runs off 47 balls, but lacked support from other batsmen. Sialkot suffered an early setback when Mohammad Huraira was dismissed for a duck. Mohsin Riaz (1) and Ayaz Tasawar (7) also failed to make an impact, while Afzal Manzoor (10) and Shoaib Malik (20) provided brief resistance before falling at crucial moments.
Hasan Ali tried to add some quick runs at the end with 25 off 10 balls, but Sialkot collapsed, losing their last four wickets for just seven runs.
Lahore Blues’ bowlers played a key role in the victory. Hussain Talat, Mohammad Rizwan, Nisar Ahmad, and Mohammad Irfan each took two wickets, while Mohammad Salman Mirza added one to restrict Sialkot’s batting lineup.
With this crucial win, Lahore Blues have proven themselves as strong contenders for the National T20 Cup title. Fans eagerly await their next match as they prepare for a tough semi-final battle.
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