Shoaib Malik smashes 88 to lead Stallions into final - BZU PAGES: Find Presentations, Reports, Student's Assignments and Daily Discussion; Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan

**.BZU.** · #1 01-10-2011, 11:15 PM

KARACHI: Shoaib Malik led from the front to take Sialkot Stallions into final of the Faysal Bank National Twenty20 Cup 2011 here at the National Stadium on Saturday.

He showed great allround abilities by capturing two wickets, taking a catch besides being involved in a run out and later smashed unbeaten 88 runs from 49 balls, cracking three towering sixes and nine fours. Later, he was deservedly declared man-of-the-match.

Chasing 168 runs, the Stallions completed their six-wicket victory with seven balls spared to qualify for playing the final where they will make a bid to win the title for the sixth time.

No other batsman, except Shahid Yousuf (49), gave any support to Shoaib in achieving the target.

Shoaib and Shahid made 127 runs for the third wicket stand after the Stallions lost both their openers for only nine runs at the board.

Earlier, Lahore Eagles were all out for 167 runs in 19.3 overs after captain Azhar Ali won the toss and decided to bat.

Openers Imran Farhat and Taufiq Umar provided them a solid start of 86 runs but other batsmen could not build up a big score on this foundation as only three batsmen could get into double figures.

Imran hit 73 off 44 balls with eleven fours and a six while Taufiq made 33 from 20 balls with six fours.

For Sialkot Stallions, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Shoaib Malik claimed two wickets each.