KARACHI: Top-order batters Nasir Khan and Umar scored blistering half-centuries and powered Johar Jawans to a crushing 10-wicket victory over Clifton Popular in the 22nd match of the Karachi Tape Ball Premier League (KTPL) Season 4 here at the Moin Khan Academy on Wednesday.
Opting to bat first, the Popular registered a decent total of 95/4 in the first innings, thanks to opening batter Fahad Mian Chunnu’s unbeaten knock.
The Popular got off to a contrasting start to their innings as they were reeling at 59/4 in 4.2 overs until Fahad’s late fireworks, the highlight of which was a 22-run final over, bowled by M Jahanzaib.
The right-handed batter smashed five sixes and a four on his way to top score with a 21-ball 43, followed by Hassan Qadeer (20) and Haq Nawaz (11).
For Jawans, Farman and Khurram bagged two wickets each in the first innings.
In response, the Jawans accumulated 99/1 in their allotted six overs to acquire a narrow four-run lead.
Leading the way for the Jawans were Umar, who scored an unbeaten 53 from just 19 balls with the help of three fours and five sixes, while Nasir contributed with a 16-ball 36, featuring three fours and two sixes.
Trailing by just four runs, the Popular could score 96/3 in the second innings despite Fahad’s half-century and thus set Jawans a 93-run target.
Fahad once again led Popular’s charge with the bat as he top-scored with a 20-ball 59, laced with four fours and six sixes.
Raja Khawar was the pick of the Jawans’ bowlers in the second innings, picking up two wickets for just six runs in one over, while Khurram chipped in with a scalp.
Set to chase 93, the Jawans comfortably knocked the winning runs without losing a wicket and eight balls to spare, thanks to Nasir’s belligerent knock.
Nasir top-scored in the second innings with an unbeaten 59 off 18 deliveries, hitting two fours and eight sixes, while Waqas Sher played a supportive role with 32 not out from just 11 balls.
For his match-winning half-century in the second innings, Nasir was adjudged the player of the match.