LAHORE: Gujranwala Giants’ skipper Uzair Mumtaz and left-handed batter Shevon Daniel smashed half-centuries to guide their side to a much-needed victory over Rawalpindi Raiders to keep their Pakistan Junior League (PJL) playoffs hopes intact.
Set to chase 129, the Giants comfortably steered to victory in the 19th over with four wickets to spare, thanks to brilliant half-centuries from Uzair and Daniel.
The Giants were off to a deplorable start to their run chase as the side lost two wickets at a paltry total of eight runs.
Following the slump, skipper Uzair and Daniel stood up for their team and accumulated 98 runs for the third wicket and bolstered their side to chase down the total.
Daniel, however, fell in the 15th over soon after amassing his half-century. The left-handed batter scored 50 off 41 deliveries including three boundaries and two sixes.
The Giants endured another halt in their run chase as they lost three more wickets in just nine deliveries.
Skipper Uzair kept his nerves calm and steered his side over the line with his unbeaten knock of 56. He faced 42 deliveries and smashed three boundaries and two sixes.
Thomas Aspinwall also batted sensibly and played a vital knock of 10* in just six deliveries.
Ali Raza was the pick of the bowlers for the Raiders as he returned with 2/25, while Afnan Khan and Amir Hassan bagged one wicket each.
Batting first on the invitation of Giants’ captain Uzair, the Raiders could score 128 before bundling out in the 20th over.
The Raiders had a decent start to their innings and were 111/2 in the 17th over before Habibullah, who remained the top-scorer for his side, fell after scoring 55 off 53.
The right-handed batter smashed five boundaries and two sixes in the course of his splendid knock.
Following Habibullah’s departure, the Raiders then ran into a frustrating collapse and skittled out for a paltry 128.
Matthew Tromp and Mohammad Ibtisam led the bowling attack for the Giants as they took three wickets each, while Ali Asfand bagged two.
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