Muzaffarabad Tigers cruise to seven-wicket victory against Overseas Warriors

Muzaffarabad Tigers cruised to a seven-wicket victory over the Overseas Warriors in the third match of the Kashmir Premier League (KPL) in Muzaffarabad on Sunday.

Chasing a target of 154-runs, the Tigers were off to a cautious start.

Opener Malik Nisar was the first to depart, caught by wicketkeeper Azam Khan, off the bowling of pacer Sohail Khan after scoring 15 runs off 15 balls.

Opener Zeeshan Ashraf was stumped by the wicketkeeper off the bowling of Kamran Ghulam after scoring 18 runs off 17 balls.

Ghulam then removed veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez.

Batsmen Sohaib Maqsood and Sohail Akhtar then combined to steer their side over the target.

Maqsood remained unbeaten after scoring 52 runs off 38 balls while Akhtar remained unbeaten after scoring 58 runs off 28 balls as their side chased down the total with seven wickets to spare in 17.2 overs.

Earlier, Overseas Warriors’ captain Imad Wasim won the toss and elected to bat first.

The Warriors were off to a horrible start as pacer Sohail Tanvir bowled batsman Uthman Ali for a golden duck.

Explosive batsman Haider Ali came out with positive intent and played a breezy knock of 27 runs off 14 balls before being adjudged LBW off the bowling of pacer Arshad Iqbal.

A cluster of wickets fell next as batsmen Azam Khan (five off four), Kamran Ghulam (golden duck) and Mohammad Haris (eight off nine) fell in quick succession.

Opener Nasir Nawaz, who had been cautious in the middle, was then adjudged LBW off the bowling off leg-spinner Usama Mir as the Warriors found themselves in significant trouble.

Tailender Abbas Afridi (six off 10) then fell to pacer Arshad Iqbal before all-rounder Imad Wasim and tailender Sohail Khan combined for a stable partnership to get their side to a decent total.

Sohail Khan remained not out after scoring 26 runs while Imad Wasim was caught off the bowling of Mohammad Wasim Jr in the end as their side managed 153 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their allotted overs.

Usama Mir was the pick of the bowlers for his side after taking three wickets.