ICT v Benitoz Panthers
Benitoz Panthers faced ICT at the KheloKricket Champions Trophy at Al Mansoora on Sunday morning. Panthers having won the last encounter between those 2 sides were the strong favorites of the match. Winning the toss, Benitoz Panthers elected to bat first but found themselves struggling against a formidable display of bowling by ICT's unit. The team lost 3 quick wickets and were reeling at 48 for 3 before Mohib Ahsan stepped in to lead his side. With a sublime knock of 105 off 53, the game turned on it's head with 9 boundaries and 7 sixes. Hamza Ali Khan also provided the right amount of support on the other end building an impressive partnership with his cameo of 30. The rest of the batsmen stood by with minor contributions, spectators to the game. Ibaad Khan was impressive in his spell, picking up 3 wickets. While Hunain Usman and Khalid Khursheed took a wicket each. Benitoz Panthers ended at a competitive 189 for 7 in 20 overs.
In response, ICT was off to an explosive start with Taqi Azad and Adeel Khan looking to wrap things up early. Taqi set the momentum with his 32 off 13. Adeel Khan is always dangerous when he gets going. Merciless against the bowlers, he smashed 79 off 32 including 7 mammoth sixes that left the bowlers running for cover. However, once the pair were dismissed, ICT looked in trouble as Umer Chawla made inroads with wickets falling on the other end. Suleman Ghani propelled his team's score forward however with a much needed 30 in a crisis. Saad Ahmed caused further damage with his 2 wickets and ICT required 10 runs off 12 balls with just 3 wickets in hand. However Khalid Khursheed held his nerve and eventually it was a six that took ICT over the line.
ICT won by 3 wickets and were winners of the 1st KheloKricket Champions Trophy.
