Lahore Lions Vs Islamabad Leopards

Lahore Lions stormed into the finals after a nail bitting finsih in a low scoring match. Batting first Islamabad Leopards scored 123/7. Islamabad’s top order sccumbed against some quality bowling by Lahore Lions, inform Afaq Raheem and raheel Majeed fell to some ridiculous strokes and put their team in pressure but a late cameo by Naveed Anjum and Imad Waseem surged their score to 123.

The score of 123 looked too easy for the star studded Lahore Lion’s but Islamabad bowlers bowled beautifully Saad Altaf removed Nasir Jamshed and Umar Akmal in his first two overs and put early pressure, Ahmed Shazad and Salman Butt again struggled because of their lack of stroke making abilities.

Lahore replaced Waqas Ahmed with Imran fahat the move paid off as Imran farhat scored 33 off 29 balls and was their top scorer. Both Salman and Imran got out at a crucial juncture of the game the spin duo of Afaq Raheem and Amad Waseem took four quick wickets and after 17 overs Lahore was reeling at 97/7. 24 runs were required from the last two overs this where Raheel Majeed made a fatal error he gave the ball to Afaq Raheem instead of Saad Altaf or Kamram Hussain, Afaq’s part time off spin proved too easy to hit for the inform Kamran Akmal 19 runs came from Afaq’s over and the match was over.

The first Semi final again exposed Ahmed Shahzad’s and Salman Butt’s poor form. I think Abdul Qadir and PCB should be hold accountable for making this poorselection based on favoritism.

Sialkot stallions Vs Lahore Eagles

Sialkot Stallions are all set to storm into the finals for the fourth straight year, batting first the Stallions scored 182, Imran Nazir as usual gave Sialkot a flying start scoring 26 off 9 balls, Junaid Zia removed imran early but Lahore eagled didn’t get any respite as the new batsman Tahir Mughal scored at even a faster pace scoring 30 off 11 balls, Kamran Younis from the other end played sensibly and scored a classy 43 off 36 balls Sialkot scored 50 off just 18 balls, Lahore Eagles who came into the Semi finals after an upset victory over Karachi Dolphins were completely out classed by the Stallions.

Apparently the experienced Sialkot team looked as a much more superior and professional outfit they had a plan off scoring 60-70 runs in the first 6 overs and then maintain the run rate afterwards, they executed their plan well and at one stage it looked as if they will score oround 220 but after Shoaib malik’s dismissal they couldn’t keep up the run rate as Sialkot kept on losing wickets. They lost 3 wickets in Junaid Zia’s last over. Malik scored 45 of just 27 balls.

Lahore Eagles top order folded easily against a disciplined bowling of Stallions they 47/7 the match proved completely one sided. The final is going to be a big one as both Lahore lions and Sialkot Stallions are quite evenly matched. Although I am from Lahore but I think Stallions are a better side and would win the finals.

The final  will pose once more a test to Salman Butt and Ahmed Shahzad to justify their selection in the T20 WC squad alhough I wish that Lahore should drop Ahmed Shahzad and replace him with Waqas Ahmed.

Razzaq should come at #3, Imran farhat and Salman Butt should open the innings. Lahore Lions do have a good bowling attack and it will be difficult for the Stallions to post a huge total against them.