LAHORE: Fine all-round performances by Arafat Minhas and South Africa’s Luc Benkenstein steered Gwadar Sharks to an emphatic 34-run victory over Rawalpindi Raiders in the Pakistan Junior League (PJL) here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

Batting first, Arafat struck 40 not out and Benkenstein made 33 as Sharks posted a fighting 150 for five off the stipulated overs.

Later, right-arm pacer Benkenstein took two wickets -- including that of top-scorer Aseer Mughal (26) -- for just four runs from one over he bowled to play a crucial role in restricting their rivals to 116 all out in 19 overs.

As opener, the South African made a 25-ball 33 with four boundaries and when he was dismissed it was Arafat who held the innings together till the very end consuming just 24 balls and smashing two big sixes and three fours. He received support from Saad Masood (22 off 16, three fours) as the Sharks plundered 67 off the final six overs.

Arafat, who was named the player-of-the-match, claimed two wickets for 22 runs after the Raiders had lost half their side for 49 in nine overs.

BIG WIN FOR BAHAWALPUR ROYALS

On Friday night, a belligerent half-century by captain Basit Ali and devastating bowling by Sajjad Ali and Arham Nawab guided Bahawalpur Royals to an easy eight-wicket victory over Hyderabad Hunters in their PJL match at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Chasing a below-par 114, the Royals cruised to victory in just 12.4 overs as Basit struck 54 off just 30 balls and was well supported by Obaid Shahid (32 not out).

Opener Basit adorned his knock with 11 fluent drives to the fence while facing just 30 balls after Johan Mahne (three) was dismissed cheaply at the total of 33. After Basit was adjudged lbw off Haseeb-ur-Rehman, the unbeaten pair of Obaid and Shawaiz Irfan (18) kept the run spree to overhaul the target. Obaid faced 26 balls and hit five fours while Shawaiz smashed a six and a four.

Earlier after being put in to bat first, Hyderabad were dismissed for to 113 all out in 18.3 overs due to excellent bowling by Sajjad and Arham. Sajjad bowled 2.3 overs to take three wickets for 21 runs while Arham was more economical conceding just 15 runs in his four overs.

Only captain Saad Baig (34), who opened the innings for Hyderabad, could offer some resistance as he struck five fours and one six, the only of the innings. Moiz Rana (21 off 26 balls, three fours) and Muneeb Wasif (run-a-ball 26) were the other notable scorers while five batters failed to open their account.

Summarised scores:

Gwadar Sharks beat Rawalpindi Raiders by 34 runs.

GWADAR SHARKS 150-5 in 20 overs (Arafat Minhas 40 not out, Luc Benkenstein 33, Saad Masood 22; Afnan Khan 3-20); RAWALPINDI RAIDERS 116 in 19 overs (Asser Mughal 26, Wahaj Riaz 23; Mohammad Shoaib 3-12, Luc Benkenstein 2-4, Arafat Minhas 2-22, Momin Qamar 2-24)

Bahawalpur Royals beat Hyderabad Hunters by eight wickets.

HYDERABAD HUNTERS 113 in 18.3 overs (Saad Baig 34, Muneeb Wasif 26; Sajjad Ali 3-21, Arham Nawab 3-15); BAHAWALPUR ROYALS 117-2 in 12.4 overs (Basit Ali 54, Obaid Shah 32 not out, Shawaiz Irfan 18 not out)

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2022