Muzaffarabad: In their last game, of the group stage, of the Kingdom Valley Kashmir Premier League (KPL), season two, Mirpur Royals came down hard on Muzaffarabad Tigers to regain the top position on points’ table.
Sluggish start by Muzaffarabad Tigers, while batting first, on the invitation of Mirpur Royals. Their first wicket fell on 14 and afterwards Mirpur Royals were all over their rivals. Half the side of Tigers were sent back to the hut on a meagre 48 in 12 over.
Taimoor Shah (16), Haseebullah (10) and Captain Mohammed Hafeez (7) were the top scorers till then.
Anwar Ali entered the park and changed the complexion of the game. The Pakistan international, hit fearlessly around the wicket. The Tigers took 17 overs to surpass the 100-run mark.
In a bid to further up the tempo Anwar Ali, got out on 44 (29), including three fours and two maximum.
Muzaffarabad Tigers finished up at 135/8 in 20 overs.
Right-arm paceman Shadab Majeed bowled brilliantly for his two wickets at the cost of 13 runs in three overs. Imad Wasim was also impressive with two scalps for 14 runs.
Mirpur Royals began in style as their openers rapidly escorted the team score to 50 in 3.3 overs.
Hasan Nawaz the aggressor got bowled by Arshad Iqbal on the very next delivery. Nawaz amassed a quick 41 off 16 balls, decorated with four sixes and as many fours.
Two quick wickets pulled back Royals a bit but Muhammad Akhlaq and skipper Shoaib Malik stabilise the situation.
Malik got out on 114 runs in 12th over. He accumulated 17 runs.
Akhlaq later scored a half century.
Later Mirpur Royals overhauled the target with six wickets to spare.
Shadab Majeed was chosen the player of the match.
With this triumph, Royals, with eight points, have qualified for the play-off stage.
