Faysal Bank T20 (FBT20) Cup Final - Sialkot Stallions Hold The Nerves to Beat Rawalpindi Rams by 10 Runs

KARACHI, Pakistan (Oct. 02) – Final of the Faysal Bank Twenty20 (FBT20) cup was just finished and a real thriller ended with the victory of Sialkot Stallions as they beat defending champions Rawalpindi Rams with 10 runs today here on National Stadium, Karachi. Rawalpindi Rams fell 11 runs short of the target of 181 set by Sialkot Stallions.

FBT20 Cup Final: Sialkot Stallions Beat Rawalpindi Rams by 10 Runs

Rawalpindi Rams openers provided a flying start; especially Awais Zia played a gem innings. He hit 5 boundaries in first over and smashed two sixes in the second over in his little cameo of 32 off 13 balls. He was trapped by Raza Hasan in third over of Rams’ innings which was a proof of an effective and timely strategy of Stallions’ skipper Shoaib Malik.

The other opener naved latif also played a good knock of 67 off 47; but couldn’t finish the match and lost his wicket to Naved Arif, who was smashed by Awais Zia in first over for five 4s. Umar Amin, the most consistent of the Rams’ batsmen in this tournament, couldn’t last long and fell to veteran Abdur Rehman after contributing just 11 off 10 balls.

Shoaib Malik manoeuvred his bowling options effectively and every change in bowling brought him some success. Raza Hasan was the most successful bowler for Stallions with his 2 wickets, including most dangerous Awais Zia, conceding just 11 runs in 4 overs. Abdur Rehman also picked up two wickets including the most important of Umar Amin. Naved Arif and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan claimed one wicket each for Sialkot Stallions.

Earlier, Sialkot Stallions won the toss and elected to bat first. While batting sensibly and aggressively on occasions Sialkot piled up 180 after losing 6 wickets. Although Imran Nazir failed once again and fell to Muhammad Rameez after adding just 10 runs; but next four batsmen, including Skipper Shoaib Malik, controlled the innings impressively to take a huge total. Shakeel Ansar (39), Qaisar Abbas (44), Shoaib Malik (43) and Shahid Yousuf (32) contributed significantly for their team.

From Rawalpindi Rams Awais Zia picked up two wickets while Sohail Tanveer and Muhammad Rameez claimed one wicket each. Shoaib Mailk and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan (2) got run out.  

This is sixth time Sialkot Stallions emerge as National T20 Champions.