LSW Tony Turner’s continued their impressive form from the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy, securing a comprehensive 87-run victory over HKCC Wanderers. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, they faced an early setback with Rajab Hussain departing quickly. However, Aarez Dar and Ibraheem Ishaq managed to form a small partnership to see off the new ball. The team faced a double blow in the 9th and 10th overs with the dismissals of Ibraheem and Aarez, bringing Ehsan Khan and debutant Haider Ali to the crease.

The pair began to build their partnership cautiously. Ehsan Khan played his natural game, while Haider Ali ensured no further wickets fell from his end. Once both batsmen settled, they started playing more freely, and runs began to flow from both ends. Haider Ali brought up his half-century off 54 balls, while Ehsan Khan reached his fifty in 48 balls. Ehsan Khan then started to accelerate, freeing his arms more often, while Haider Ali punished any loose deliveries.

Haider Ali was eventually dismissed for 78, attempting a cut shot between gully and point, only to be caught at point. In the next over, Ehsan Khan was caught and bowled by Adil Mehmood, leaving Tony Turner’s at 179/5 in 37.5 overs. The stage was set for a big total, but the quick wickets of Tanveer Ahmed and Preet put the brakes on the scoring. A late partnership between Sheryar Khan (23) and Moner Dar (23), followed by contributions from Qasim Iqbal (11), helped LSW Tony Turner’s post a target of 251 runs for the Wanderers. Adil Mehmood bowled exceptionally well for the Wanderers, taking 5 wickets for 34 runs, while Shiv Mathur also chipped in with 3 wickets for 49 runs.

In response, the Wanderers’ openers, Martin Coetzee and Shiv Mathur, started well, offering some early chances that were not capitalized on by Tony Turner’s. Coetzee’s natural attacking game meant runs were flowing quickly. However, a change in the bowling attack to Moner Dar brought immediate success as he removed Shiv Mathur LBW, leaving the Wanderers at 57/1. In the next over, Asad Rasheed picked up Coetzee with a well-taken catch by Moner Dar, reducing the Wanderers to 63/2. Adit Gorawara (7) and Niazakt Khan (11) both fell cheaply, leaving the Wanderers struggling at 84/4.

Rory Caines tried to hold one end and rebuild the partnership, but Moner Dar provided another breakthrough by trapping Jarrod Mongsten LBW. Although Rory Caines played well for his 45 runs, none of the other Wanderers’ batsmen offered any significant resistance, and they were all out for 164 runs in 34.4 overs. Sheryar Khan and Asad Rasheed picked up a wicket each, while Tanveer Ahmed and Ehsan Khan took 2 wickets apiece. Moner Dar was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 wickets for 43 runs in his 8.4-over spell.

The highlight of the match was the fifth-wicket partnership between Haider Ali and Ehsan Khan, which allowed LSW Tony Turner’s to post a defendable total. LSW Tony Turner’s will play their next match against USRC Vagabonds on February 2nd at TKRRG.