Peshawar Panthers v Sialkot Stallions - Faysal Bank Super Eight T-20 Cup - 2nd Semi-Final – Match Update
Sialkot Stallions 197/1 (20/20 ov) v Peshawar Panthers 157/8 (20.0/20 ov) - Sialkot Stallions won by 40 runs
With stakes higher than ever before in the current season of Faysal Bank Super Eight T-20 Cup, for both sides ( Peshawar Panthers and Sialkot Stallions) a place in the finale was up for grabs, but first they needed to win the second semi-final of the day at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
The Stallions, who have shown impeccable form in the tournament, chose to bat first after winning the toss and with an opener like Imran Nazir any team would be intimidated bowling against Sialkot on a given day.
However, Nazir, failed to go all ballistic on Peshawar as he lost his wicket after posting only 15 runs. At the time of his demise, Sialkot had amassed 39 runs on the board.
Nonetheless, even after failing to give a commendable performance in the semi-final, Nazir has proved he is at the top of his game as he is currently the strongest hitter in the tournament and deserves a place in the national team, especially in the limited overs squad, where Pakistan desperately require batsmen who can belt the opposition out of the park.
With a batting attack comprised of Nazir and Shahid Afridi, Pakistan would be having the most lethal batting outfit, enough to give Goosebumps to the mightiest of teams in the cricketing world.
The demise of Nazir did not deter Sialkot as opener Shakeel Ansar took it upon himself to wreck havoc in the ranks of the opposition as he smacked some of the finest cricketing shots in modern-day cricket.
The batsman bolstered a stupendous innings of 100 runs as he belted 10 boundaries and two sixes, dominating the bowlers all the way till the end of the innings.
His batting partner on the other end, Haris Sohail played an unbeaten innings of 69 runs off 45 deliveries, as the side posted 197 runs on the board.
Needing an extraordinary effort to overcome the required target, Peshawar lacked the depth in their batting department to subdue Sialkot as they kept losing wickets which resulted in their ultimate demise on a tally of 157 runs.
Middle-order batsman, Gauhar Ali, was the only highlight in Peshawar’s innings, as the rest of the batsmen were not up to speed.
Shakeel Ansar from Sialkot was named as the Player of the Match.