KARACHI: Abdul Rehman’s quickfire cameo in the run chase steered Malir Malangs to a commanding seven-wicket victory over Karachi Knights in the 16th match of the Karachi Tape Ball Premier League (KTPL) Season 4 here at the Moin Khan Academy on Sunday.
Put into bat first, the Knights racked up a massive total of 100/1 in the first innings, thanks to a swashbuckling half-century by Jahangir Shah.
The opener smashed two fours and seven sixes on his way to top score with a 17-ball 51.
He was supported by skipper Shafi Ullah and Kamran Arif, who made unbeaten 24 and 12, respectively.
Skipper Majid Ali picked up the solitary wicket for the Malangs.
In response, a recovering fifth-wicket partnership between Abdul Rehman and Mimran Khan lifted Malangs to a fighting total of 92/6.
Mimran remained the top-scorer for the Malangs with an 18-ball 45, laced with two fours and five sixes, while Rehman made an eight-ball 31.
Shafiq Ur Rehman was the standout bowler for the Knights, picking up three wickets for 25 runs in his two overs, while Jahangir Khan, Zuhair and Wakeel Shah, chipped in with a scalp apiece.
Despite leading by eight runs, the Knights’ batting unit failed to capitalize on the momentum and could score 61/7, thus setting a meagre 70-run target for the leaders.
Skipper Shafi Ullah waged a lone battle for his side in the second innings as he played a gutsy 24-run knock from 15 balls, while the rest of the Knights’ batters failed to amass double figures.
Awais Saleem and Mian Ghulam Ali jointly led the Malangs’ bowling charge in the second innings with three wickets each, while Majid Ali and Safi Ullah made one scalp apiece.
Chasing a modest 70-run target, the Malangs comfortably knocked the winning runs for the loss of just two wickets and five balls to spare.
Leading the way was Abdul Rehman, who made an unbeaten 32 off 11 deliveries, studded with two fours and three sixes.
For the Knights, Shafiq, Wakeel and Jahangir took one wicket apiece.
The seven-wicket victory strengthened Malir Malangs’ command at the top of the KTPL Season 4 standings with 10 points in five matches, while Karachi Knights remained at the bottom.