Nisar hits 91 as Hyderabad Nawabs win opener

Beaver Gulf Pro Bash got off to a perfect start as Hyderabad Nawabs defeated Pakhtoon Warriors by seven runs in a thriller.  Batting first after winning the toss, Hyderabad Nawabs received an early jolt when they lost their opener with just seven runs on the board.

Later, Adnan Nisar along with Abdullah Afridi tried to stead their innings. They shared a 37-run stand.

Afridi scored 26 off 20 balls. After Afridi’s departure, Rizwan Hafiz joined Nisar and showed his blistering batting form after hitting quick-fire 52 off 39 balls. The shared a partnership of 90 runs.

With wickets falling steadily at the other end, Nisar kept the scoreboard tickling. Nisar got involved in another partnership as he and Mohammed Irfan shared a 57-run stand.

Nisar fell short of his century by 9 runs as Hyderabad Nawabs posted 201 for the loss of four wickets from the allotted 25 overs.

Later, Hyderabad Nawabs restricted Pakhtoon Warriors to 197/6.

Jamshaid Butt (83), Muzammil Afridi (61) were their top scorers.

Hafiz, who scored 52, took three wickets while giving  Away 24 runs. Hafiz was declared as man of the match for his all-round performance.

In another match, Lahore Sikandars beat Pakhtoon Blasters by eight runs.

Pakhtoon Balsters won the toss and asked Lahore Sikandars to bat first.

Lahore Sikandars posted 153 for the loss of four wickets. Later, Lahore Sikandars bowled extremely well and restricted Pakhtoon Balsters to 145/9.

Meanwhile, UAE international Mohammed Usman believes the Pro Bash, Abu Dhabi’s first domestic franchise tournament, is a positive step towards reviving premier division cricket in the capital.

The left-hander is the marquee signing of the inaugural 25-over tournament which has seven franchises and is played Indian Premier League-style.

“I haven’t played in Abu Dhabi for three years because the premier division cricket hasn’t been here any more,” Usman said after his Abu Dhabi Dragons suffered a 106-run defeat to Chennai Knights in their opener at the Al Ain Cricket Club grounds on Friday.

Usman, batting at No 4, could only muster 12 off 21 balls and was sixth out at 47 after his side lost three wickets for five runs.

“Pro Bash has now offered us a new platform. I would have loved it even more had it been the longer format but 25 overs-a-side is not a bad idea. We get a little more time than the T20. But the bottom line is that we get to play in the top flight.”