Waqas bowls Lahore Lions to 9-wkt win

Sirsa, Sep 8 (UNI) A fiery bowling spell by right arm medium fast bowler Waqas Ahmed (3-0-12-4) enabled Lahore Lions of Pakistan to register an effortless nine-wicket triumph over Indian Air Force in the JCD International Twenty20 Cricket League at the JCD National Academy Stadium here today.

Lahore Lions won the toss and decided to field. Their move paid rich dividends as they bowled out Indian Air Force for 67 in 14.5 overs. Lahore Lions fast bowler Waqas Ahmed accounted for the wickets of captain and opener Imran Khan (6), wicket-keeper Devinder Israni (0), Narender Kumar (6) and SS Karmakar (1). The IFA innings lasted just 75 minutes.

Only Soumik Chatterjee was able to reach the double figure mark with an individual total of 11. Mumtaj Qadir was the second highest scorer with nine. Mohd Amir, Saad Naseem and Khakan Arsal got one wicket each for 9, 10 and 14 runs, respectively.

In reply Lahore Lions lost their opener Babar Bhindra (10) who was bowled by Abhishek Saruja at the total of 23 in 5.5 overs.

Faisal Javad and Muntazir Mehdi achieved the target without being separated. They were associated in an unbroken 45 runs stand for the second wicket. Faisal remained not out on 37. His innings contained three boundaries. Muntazir was not out on 19.

Waqas Ahmed of Lahore Lions was declared the man of the match for his brilliant bowling.

Brief scores: Indian Air Force: 67 all out in 14.5 overs (Soumik Chatterjee 11, Mumtaj Qadir 9, Waqas Ahmed 4 for 12, Mohd Amir 1 for 9, Saad Naseem 1 for 10, Khakan Arsal 1 for 14).

La hore Lions (Pakistan): 68 for 1 in 12.2 overs (Babar Bhindra 10,Faisal Javad not out 37, Muntazir Mehdi not out 10). Lahore Lions win by nine wickets. MoM: Waqas Ahmed.

UNI XC VKJ BK2115