Hurricane Afzal blasts 155 runs off 48 balls

Dubai: It rained sixes and fours at the Zabeel Park ground in the G Force Premier League match between Natural Stones and Rosy Blue.

Saud Afzal, a well-built right-handed hard-hitting batsman, cracked a whirlwind unbeaten 155 off just 48 balls. He hit 17 towering sixes and seven boundaries during his knock and helped Natural Stones record a mammoth 303 for 4 in the 20 overs.

Afzal's hits were so powerful that the organisers had a tough time retrieving the balls.

Gopal Jasapara, the chief organiser of the league, said: "Most of the shots sailed over the fencing and we lost about eight balls during his knock."

Afzal, who hails from Pakistan, enjoys hitting hard. "Last week I had hit 140 off just 50 balls in the Hamariya tournament," he said proudly.

Natural Stones got off to flying start with their openers Rohit (30) and Marlon (46) putting on 74 runs. Afzal walked in after the fall of the first wicket and right away went for the big hits.

He took runs off every ball that he faced and 102 runs came off from sixers alone as he hit 17 sixers another 28 runs came from his seven boundaries. Only 15 runs were scored without the ball crossing the line.

Natural Stones team hit a total of 26 sixes and 14 fours during their innings.

Rosy Blue refused to chase the huge total and decided to play out the 20 overs. They scored 94 for 7 with Mahesh top-scoring with 24 runs. Natural Stones thus recorded an emphatic 208-run victory.

Scores

Natural Stones bt Rosy Blue by 208 runs. Natural Stones 303 for 4 in 20 overs (Saud Afzal 155n.o, Marlon 46, Rohit 30, Majid 28, Chamil 23) Rosy Blue 94 for 7 in 20 overs (Mahesh 24, Nigel 3 for 20).

Man of the match: Saud Afzal.