Bagh Stallions down Kotli Lions by five wickets

Asad Shafiq’s 43-run unbeaten knock helped Bagh Stallions beat Kotli Lions by five wickets on Saturday in the second match of Kashmir Premier League (KPL).

Chasing a target of 170, Shan Masood and Zeeshan Malik made a solid start and scored 18 runs each. Khurram Shehzad picked up the wickets of Shan Masood and Rohail Nazir to peg Stallions back.

With three wickets down, Asad Shafiq formed a crucial partnership with Iftikhar Ahmed to keep Stallions on track for the target. Imran Khan broke the partnership by removing Iftikhar for 29. Aamer Yamin also made a vital contribution of 27 from just 16 balls, before succumbing to Imran as well.

As wickets kept falling, Shafiq kept calm and took Stallions over the finish line with Umaid Asif hitting a six to reach the target in the last over.

Earlier, Lions were bowled out for 169 after opting to bat first. They were dealt an early blow as they lost both their openers cheaply.

Ahsan Ali did a fantastic job rebuilding the innings and scored 51 runs in just 37 deliveries. After Ali’s departure, hard-hitting batsman Asif Ali’s blistering 39 run inning from 20 balls kept Lions going at a healthy run-rate. Asif’s stay at the crease came to an end courtesy of Mohammad Imran, who picked up three wickets.

Young batsman Saif Badar also contributed with a gritty 37-run knock from just 27 balls, before being caught behind on the bowling of Umaid Asif.

However, the Lions kept losing wickets at regular intervals, with Umaid Asif cleaning up the tail and finishing with three wickets.