Date:29/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/29/stories/2008102955911700.htm

Sport - Cricket

Giants humbles Badshahs

Vijay Lokapally

GURGAON: Syed Abbas Ali played a decisive role in helping Delhi Giants stay in the reckoning in the Indian Cricket League.

Abbas’s knock saw Giants win its second match in five even as Lahore Badshahs suffered its third defeat at the Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex here on Sunday. The foundation had been laid by left-arm spinner Ali Murtaza, who finished with an astounding analysis of 4-0-7-4, a performance that fetched him the ‘Man of the Match’ award.

Sensible knock

Abbas, walking in at 23 for two with a target of 144, played sensibly in the company of Abhinav Bali (47 off 41 balls) to fashion an easy with six wickets and nine balls to spare. Abbas’s 52 off 46 balls, with three fours and a six, was the strength on which Delhi Giants secured the win. For Lahore Badshahs, Azhar Mahmood batted brilliantly. His dazzling 67 was carved off 39 balls and included five sixes and five fours.

The scores:

Lahore Badshahs 147 for five in 20 overs (Azhar Mahmood 67 n.o., Ali Murtaza four for seven) lost to Delhi Giants 148 for four in 18.3 overs (Syed Abbas Ali 52, Abhinav Bali 47 n.o.).