Phoenix clinch T20 title with Ibsons win

dubai — Man-of-the-match Shabbir Malik scored a superb half century as Phoenix Medicine emerged champions of the Sharjah Invitational T20 Tournament organized by the Sharjah Cricket Council after defeating Ibsons by seven wickets

Batting first, Ibsons scored 147 for seven in 20 overs thanks to Malik’s 50, which came off 28 balls consisting of two boundaries and five sixes.

Earlier, Ibsons were given a rousing start from Baber Malik who fired a 20-ball 28 supported by four boundaries and a six.

But it was Waseem Baig’s unbeaten 32 from 33 deliveries and Ibrahim Malik’s 18 off just seven balls that ensured Ibsons had a challenging total.

In reply, Phoenix made a decent start with openers Fahad Ansari (13, 12b, 2x4) and Saif Janjum (16, 15b, 1x4, 1x6) adding the crucial runs early on.

Malik got into an aggressive mood as soon as he arrived to fire a

Supplied photo match winning half century. His 63 came off just 35 deliveries where he sent the ball packing over the ropes on six occasions.

After his departure, Rohan Mustafa and Qasim Mohammad scored the required runs.

Mustafa remained unbeaten scoring 31 from 27 deliveries with the support of two boundaries while Qasim struck 17 not out from 12 balls as Phoenix Medicine got past the target in 16.5 overs.