Zulfiqar stuns Punjab Stallions

Left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar bowled an astonishing spell, taking 6 for 10 in eight overs, to help Baluchistan Bears defend a low total against Punjab Stallions in Karachi. It was a low-scoring contest at the National Stadium, with 20 wickets falling for 258 runs in 74.3 overs.

Punjab would have fancied their chances of pulling off a victory after their bowlers restricted Baluchistan to 149, and even more so after their openers added 45. The seven-foot fast bowler Mohammad Irfan, however, jolted the chase by striking twice in the 12th over, leaving Punjab on 45 for 2.

Another partnership of 38 followed before Zulfiqar began his act. He ripped out the next five wickets for only 20 runs, leaving the chase in tatters at 103 for 7. He claimed one more, his sixth, and Jalat Khan chipped in with two, including the final wicket of Asad Ali, with the score on 109 in the 34th over.

Baluchistan had earlier scraped to 149 after collapsing from 20 for 0 to 23 for 5, with Asad Ali and Mohammad Talha causing the damage. Taufeeq Umar steadied the innings with 57 and Jalat contributed 38, which gave their bowlers a defendable score.