BRAMPTON: Seasoned all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan backed his 3/18 with a quickfire 26 and powered Montreal Tigers to a five-wicket victory over Surrey Jaguars in the third match of the Global T20 (GT20).

Opting to bat first, the Jaguars could post a below-par 136/6 in the allotted 20 overs despite Iftikhar Ahmed’s unbeaten 40.

The Jaguars got off to a poor start to their innings as they lost Alex Hales (1) in the second over with just nine on the board.

Jatinder Singh and Litton Das (9) then put on a quick 35-run partnership for the second wicket before both perished in successive overs.

Singh scored a brisk 27 off 15 deliveries with the help of five boundaries.

Jaguars’ captain Iftikhar Ahmed walked out to bat at number five when his side was in dire need of a subtle partnership.

The Tigers’ bowlers, however, denied Jaguars any recovery and struck twice in quick intervals to leave them reeling at 92/6.

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Iftikhar Ahmed stood his ground firm and played a cautious 40-run knock. He also put on an important 44-run partnership with Dillon Heyliger (18 off 16).

Shakib Al Hasan led the bowling attack for the Tigers with 3/18, followed by Abbas Afridi’s 2/25 while Kaleem Sana made one scalp.

Set to chase a modest total, Tigers comfortably raised 141/5 in response with nine balls to spare.

Tigers’ skipper Chris Lynn (22) and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan (26) made vital contributions in the early phase of the run chase before Dilpreet Singh and Dipendra Singh Airee gave the final touches.

Singh and Airee remained the joint top-scorer for the Tigers with 28 each.

Airee, who batted at a brisk rate, fell in the 17th over while Singh carried his bat all the way through and steered his side to glory.

The victory marked Montreal Tigers’ first in the ongoing GT20 and lifted them to claim the second spot in the standings.

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