KARACHI: Right-arm Mohammad Hasnain’s hat-trick powered DHA Dabangs to a resounding nine-wicket victory over Karachi Knights in the 15th match of the 4th season of the Karachi Tape Ball Premier League (KTPL) here at the Moin Khan Academy on Saturday.
Placed first, the Knights could only score 60/7 in six overs despite captain Safi Ullah’s knock of 36 runs.
The opening batsman fought a lonely battle with a courageous 36 off 15 deliveries, accompanied by four fours and three sixes, while the rest of the Knights’ batsmen failed to accumulate double figures.
Hasnain was the standout bowler for the Dabangs in the first innings, taking four wickets, including a hat-trick, which came in the fourth over.
In response, the Dabangs amassed 70/6 in the allotted six overs and thus took a dismal lead of 10 runs.
Opener Khurram Shahzad Chakwal remained the top scorer for the Dabangs with an 11-ball 25, followed by Waqas who made 12 off nine deliveries down the order.
Fazal Ur Rehman led the Knights’ bowling attack with two wickets while AB Salamo took two.
Trailing by 10 runs, the Knights put on a decent show with the bat in the second innings, scoring 84/3 to set the Dabangs a commendable target of 75 runs.
Batsman Para Din top-scored in the second innings for the Knights with an unbeaten 27 off 13 deliveries, while openers Kamran Arif and Safi contributed 21 each.
For the Dabangs, Hasnain and Salman Khan Sallu took a scalp each in the second innings.
Chasing a target of 74 runs, the Dabangs comfortably won the winning runs, losing just one wicket and 17 balls to spare, thanks to a powerful knock from skipper Khurram.
The opening batsman hit two fours and five sixes on his way to an unbeaten 39 off just 10 balls and guided his team over the line in dominant fashion.
He was supported by Arsalan Jamshed who made 19 for five.
The nine-wicket win lifted DHA Dabangs to fourth position in the KTPL Season 4 standings with four points from four matches, while Karachi Knights remained at the bottom with three points from three matches.
