FAYSAL BANK VS HABIB METRO
(3rd Challengers Corporate Cup Champions League)
The 3rd Challengers Corporate Cup Champions League promises to be an exciting cricket league as the top teams from the city challenge for the coveted title. Faysal Bank and Habib Metro clashed in a thrilling fixture of this league and produced a high scoring game. Batting first, Faysal Bank had a shaky start as they lost their first wicket at the score of 5. But before any great damage could be done, Azeem Shamsi and Syed Asim Imtiaz held the innings together and produced a brilliant partnership. Azeem Shamsi managed to score 34 runs off 28 deliveries before his departure and Syed Asim Imtiaz was joined by Bilal Aqleem. Together these batsmen made life difficult for the Habib Metro bowling lineup. Both of the batsmen scored runs freely and displayed great character. Syed Asim Imtiaz missed his half century by just 5 runs as he finished off with 42 runs in 34 deliveries. Bilal Aqleem was the top scorer for his side as he posted 61 runs off just 29 balls with a strike rate above 200. Ali Naqi managed to take 2 wickets for his team while 1 wicket each was taken by Mohammad Amir, Farhan and Imran Zahid. At the end of 20 overs, Faysal Bank had posted 176 runs on the board for the loss of 5 wickets.
Habib Metro started their chase in the most unfortunate manner as they lost both openers in quick succession. It looked like Faysal Bank will maintain a great amount of pressure after dismantling the top order but one down batsman Farhan had other ideas. He played the innings of his life where he went on to score important runs for his team. He not only brought his team back into the game but also put it in a fighting position. Atif Amin kept on supporting Farhan with his sensible batting as he went on to score 32 runs off 35 balls. Talib Ali took 3 for 33 while 2 wickets each were taken by Faizan and Adnan Khan Tanoli. Farhan missed his century by 10 runs as he played a brilliant knock of 90 runs in just 52 balls. But his heroics went in vain as Habib Metro fell just 4 runs shorts of the target and Faysal Bank won the match by 4 runs.