All-round Afridi stars in easy win for Karachi Dolphins

Karachi Dolphins opened their account in the tournament with a comprehensive win over Islamabad Leopards at the National Stadium in Karachi. Shahid Afridi took 3 for 20 while the others bowled economical spells to restrict Islamabad to 131 for 9. The top and middle-order batsmen got starts but didn't push on - each of the top six reached double-figures - and their efforts in the end were inadequate. Afridi, who leads Karachi, starred with the bat as well, blasting 58 off 32 balls, including seven fours and two sixes. Rameez Raja made an unbeaten 38 and victory was sealed with 39 balls to spare.

Afghan Cheetas slipped to their second defeat, falling short by 13 runs against Faisalabad Wolves at the National Stadium in Karachi. Faisalabad didn't have a stand-out performer; Asif Hussain and wicketkeeper Mohammad Salam chipped in with 30s, while Khurram Shehzad contributed 21 in the middle order to take their team to a competitive 145. The Cheetas had it covered in the chase but faltered badly. They were cruising at 102 for 2 in the 12th over, Gulbodin Naib smashing 68 off 42 balls with 10 fours and two sixes. He had the company of Karim Sadiq, who was batting steadily, but both fell off consecutive deliveries and the innings fell apart. No batsman that followed reached double-figures, the runs dried up as the Faisalabad bowlers applied the pressure and the Cheetas only finished with 132 for 9. Faisalabad have two wins from two games.

Rawalpindi Rams won their second match in two days in the Faysal Bank T20, beating Multan Tigers by five wickets in Karachi. The win was set up by a four-wicket haul, including a hat-trick, by fast bowler Mohammad Rameez and a half-century by opening batsman Awais Zia.

Choosing to bat, Multan put on 151 for 9. Gulraiz Sadaf, Kamran Hussain and Ansar Javed each made 30s, but there was not much contribution from the others. Left-arm spinners Samiullah and Yasim Murtaza did most of the damage upfront, claiming two wickets apiece, before Rameez came back to run through the lower order. Zia then put on an 84-run stand with Tahir Mughal for the third-wicket to put Rawalpindi firmly on track. The pair were dismissed in quick succession by pacer Mohammad Zahid, but with just about a run a ball required off the last six overs, Rawalpindi managed to ease home in the 19th over, handing Multan their second loss in consecutive matches.