This was the first defeat the Dolphins suffered and were considered favourites due to their earlier victories and especially after the starry appearance of Shahid Afridi in the team.

The Dolphins won the toss and lost opener Agha Sabir in the first over for a duck. The batsman was trying to steal a suicidal single and fielder Abid Ali made no mistake in dislodging the stumps. Afridi started with a bang hitting Fahad for two consecutive fours but was caught behind off Aizaz Cheema. The flamboyant all-rounder failed to hit a six and had to contend with four hits across the ropes in his innings of 25 off 14 balls.

Moin Khan who had made a century in the first match on Monday was again looking forward to go for big hits but Fahad clicked at the right time and checked him effectively. The Dolphins lost two wickets to Fahad. He first clean bowled Moin for 20 and then Khurram Manzoor for 3. The fall of two important wickets forced the Dolphins to adopt a defensive approach but that too didn't work as it slowed their run-rate.

Fahadullah Khan made 31 off 31 balls. He hit a six and one four. Amin-ur-Rehman was the other batsman who made 21 off 20 balls and hit three fours.

Salman Butt also tried some bowling and picked up 2 for 25. The Dolphins were all out for 141 in 19.4 overs.

The 142 runs target was never big for the Eagles and their opener Salman Butt played a captain’s innings scoring 40 off 30 balls. He was declared Man of the Match. Salman hit one six and six fours. Kamran Akmal made 33 runs and Aamer Sajjad scored 34 off 20 balls. Shahid Afridi and Muhammad Farrukh claimed two wickets each.

(Article: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only.
Copyright © 2005 Asif Sohail)