CLT20: Lahore Lions knock out Dolphins

Bangalore, Sep 27 (IANS) Pakistan's Lahore Lions knocked out South African side Dolphins from the Champions League T20 (CLT20) competition, beating them by 16 runs at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Saturday.

Set a target of 165 runs, Dolphins managed 148 for nine in 20 overs. For Dolphins, Robbie Frylinck was the lone star scoring a valiant 27-ball 63, inclusive of four boundaries and six sixes, but it proved to be insufficient.

They lost wickets regularly in the run chase. Dolphins skipper Morne Van Wyk, who opened their innings, scored 36 off 29 balls and kept them in the game, but his untimely dismissal in the ninth over proved crucial.

For Lions, Mohammad Hafeez, Mustafa Iqbal and Saad Nasim picked up two wickets each.

Earlier, Lions got off to a poor start, losing their top four batsmen for just 34 runs. Umar Akmal (73 from 45 balls, five fours and five sixes) and Nasim (26-ball 43, three boundaries and three sixes) recovered their innings and managed to guide them past 100. While Saad fell after an impressive 43, Akmal continued his good form helping his team put up a fighting total.

Brief Scores: Lahore Lions 164/5 (Umar Akmal 73 n.o, Saad Nasim 43, Robbie Frylinck 3/22). Dolphins 148/9 (Frylinck 63 n.o, Morne van Wyk 36; M Hafeez 2/18)