ISLAMABAD - Ali Salman’s all-round performance helped Essco Club hammered mighty Diamond Club by 35 runs in the NBP-ICA One Day Cricket Championship 2017.
Despite being bowled out for meagre 196 in 34 overs, Essco never gave up. Diamond skipper Zohaib Ahmed won the toss and opted to filed first. Essco were all out for 196 in 34 overs. Rizwan Ali made 54 with the help of 7 boundaries while man of the match, Ali Salman scored valuable 48, hitting 7 fours. Hamza Nadeem and Abdul Majid shared 2 wickets each conceding 30 and 35 runs respectively.
Chasing a modest target, Diamond innings folded at 161 in 34.2 overs. Ali Sarfraz contributed 30 while tail-ender Shahzad Azam Rana and Izzat Ullah made 20 runs each. It was Ali Salman, who ripped through Diamond batting line up and captured 4 for 27 to land his side home and a place in the semi-finals against Punjab Club. Skipper Munir-Ur-Rehman Tanzeel and Imran Nazir also shared 2 wickets each conceding 23 and 39 runs each.
Essco Club President and well-known cricket organiser Shabbir Ahmed lauded his team’s great performances in the event as they first beat mighty Asif Memorial and now they ousted Diamond for a place in the semis. Shabbir hoped his team will continue to produce wonders and lift the title.